Would it be helpful to have a section on the Wound Care Information Network that was specifically for patients?

For example, there are patients who are on the Internet, looking for wound care information. But there are also patients who come to you for treatment. You might want to tell them to visit a website to provide more information beyond what you have the time to explain.

If this is something that you think would be useful, please let me know what type of content a patient would be interested in knowing...or what type of content would be helpful to you, if your patients knew.

Dr. Allan Freedline

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I think it would be a great resource for patients. I would suggest general info on current expert opinion, in layman’s terms of course. For instance, information like Dakin’s/wet-dry should not be used except for short periods of time and only on infected/necrotic wounds. Also, information on new evidence-based practice such as moist wound healing. Maybe we could save some patients some problems associated with clinicians who still cling to old-fashioned wound care. I had a problem with a podiatrist just last week who came into the hospital on an order for routine foot care (pt’s toenails were awful), and debrided a stable heel ulcer that I had successfully babied until it was nice and dry and beginning to look like it would simply peel off in the days to come, and then ordered betadine to dress it!!!! How was this patient to know which practitioner to believe? The more education patients have, the better.

Vicki, DPT, CWS

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Hi,

As far as patient information section it my be helpful for the basics of wound healing like offloading, and explaining the basics of wound healing and what promotes it.

This may give the patients a better view of what's going on...maybe a place to have definitions explained like a glossary and the basics on skin care and prevention prevention prevention.

Hope this helps

Michele in San Diego

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Hi Dr. Freedline:

That is a good option. In my opinion, however, the patients should still be able to view all the information. They probable like reading everything. Maybe you should ask the patients also, what they prefer.

Best Regards,

Jamie Pinnock RN, CWCN

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Do you use the Braden scale?

Carol RN MSN
Certified Wound Specialist

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Look into the KCI line of beds. The Versia Care A.I.R. bed, it is not an air bed. It can be used for patients with stage 1-3 uncomplicated wounds. It doesn’t have the drying component of the air bed. For moist wounds the traditional air beds seem to be the best, but the elderly might benefit from a bed that is less drying. We have been using the Versia Care and Versia Care A.I..R. they seem to be a good product.
Sandy..

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Hi Christine:

I don’t have specific articles, but there is a wealth of information on why support surfaces are important in the prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers. I am very surprised to hear that a facility is considering not having appropriate support surfaces because of cost. How confident can you be? Two words: LAW SUIT. My suggestion to you is to contact your support surface Rep. who should be able to provide you with evidence and education on why having a pressure ulcer prevention and treatment plan is essential in any institution. Patients should be screened upon admission using an appropriate scale such as the Braden. Depending on the results of the scale, a proper prevention plan should be enforced. A good plan will more than likely include using a proper support surface.

Best Regards,

Jamie Pinnock, RN, CWCN
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I think APM2 mattresses are good and have been beneficial for all stages of
wounds.
Roopa Lothe ,PT ,RN,FCCWS.
 

unsigned

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panafil has given me some good results, you may try it.
thanks
Roopa Lothe, PT, RN, FCCWS

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Dana,
I am assuming since you've been doing mechanical debridement that the wounds are covered with slough or necrotic tissue.
I have been using Gladase, a topical debriding agent from Smith & Nephew BID with good results. It is similar to accuzyme.
Donna Cameron RN WCC

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Debridements are appropriate for road related abrasions but what wound care is being used with this patient?
Keep an anti-microbial, that maintains a moist environment for healing. But also don't be too aggresive with the debridements. Some patients respond more with "rest periods" between the debridements(ie: debride Q7-10 days)
Hope this helps,
Amy Pastor RN CWS
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What I have used on these painful abrasions is Granulex. It sprays on and will help heal the wound and keep it moist. You can over the area with Adaptic or Vasoline Gauze OR leave it open to air and just spray on the wounds BID. It helps with pain also. Actually it works like Xanaderm but it's in a spray without the pertroleum base. If you apply a barrier cream or some other ointment over the Granulex it will work even better.

Hope this helps

Michele RN WCC in San Diego

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I have had great success with tegaderm or tegaderm absorbent for road rash/abrasions.

Carol RN MSN
Certified Wound Specialist

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Mary, RN, CWS

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Hi Mary:

Most clinicians regardless of care setting complain about getting new products on the formulary. Depending on the institution, there are many factors involved in getting products on a formulary. Factors include: Cost, contracts involved, distribution companies etc. My question to you is- Do you have a product formulary that includes everything you need—hydrogels, foams, alginates etc? Sometimes if Management feels that all wound dressing categories are covered on the formulary, then there is no need to add new products. The best approach is to educate, try a controlled clinical trial- where by the Rep from the company whose product you are trying to get on the formulary may give you a certain amount of product to use on 1 or 2 patients who qualify for the use of the product. Based on the Results, you may be able to convince them that the product is a good one to have for a particular wound treatment ( Based on what the product is marketed for). Work with your Reps.

Best Regards.

Jamie Pinnock RN, CWCN
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I work in long term care and to get new products approved we usually get samples and try it on one resident for an agreed period of time to assess effectiveness of the product if good results the committee is usually agreeable to order that product.
K .in Pa

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I would let the company sell the product. That's what their job is anyway. Have them emphasize cost savings etc...that usually gets their attention.

Hope this helps

Michele RN WCC in San Diego