Know your accomplice
T here is no doubt that getting patients out of bed is beneficial. Humans were not designed to lay in bed, we were designed to be up and about. However, progressive mobility, according to the Critical Care Nurses in the US is “a series of planned movements in a sequential manner beginning at a patient’s […]
Top ten tips: medications that benefit wound healing
As the tip states, medications you may classify as beneficial may not be appropriate for each patient. We will be discussing medications that have been shown to improve wound healing. However, any medication addition needs to be critically analysed for its risk-benefit ratio, polypharmacy and social determinants of health. The risk-benefit ratio is a patient-specific […]
Generative artificial intelligence via ChatGPT for the early intervention of breast cancer-related lymphoedema
The early intervention of breast cancer-related lymphoedema (BCRL), under a prospective surveillance and screening model of care, has proven clinical efficacy. Since Stout et al’s 2012 publication on the model, numerous studies have been published with meta-analyses demonstrating the model’s efficacy (Shah et al, 2021; Rafn et al, 2022). The prospective surveillance and early intervention […]
Situation report on risk factors for contracture after burns in low- and middle-income countries
For the first stage of this work, a literature review (Fanstone and Price, 2024a) was conducted to identify existing knowledge of risk factors for contracture in major joints after burns. This review included relevant papers identified up to June 2019. Overall, 94 papers were reviewed, including 10 additional relevant papers published between 2019 and 2021; […]
Generative artificial intelligence for differential diagnosis of lymphoedema and lipoedema
On the same day in May 2023, an experienced lymphoedema practitioner (AM) assessed response validity from two brands of Generative AI: Bard (Alphabet Inc [Google’s parent company], California, Version 2.0.1) and ChatGPT (Open AI, California, Version 3.01, 2023). Response validity was assessed on a subjective scale from not valid, potentially valid and valid, based on […]
Medical adhesive-related skin injury (MARSI): Preventing patient harm
Compromised skin integrity can have a significant impact on the quality of life of patients, their family, friends and carers (Wounds UK, 2018), and can increase the risk of many complications related to the skin. These may include pressure ulcers, infection, moisture-associated skin damage (MASD), medical adhesive-related skin injury (MARSI, Box 1) and skin tears […]
The beneficial effects of benfotiamine and methylcobalamin in the management of patients with polyneuropathy in Aruba: three case reports
Diabetes is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Just under half a billion people are living with diabetes worldwide, and this is projected to increase by 25% in 2030 and by 51% in 2045 (Saeedi et al, 2019). Over the period 1999–2017, non-communicable diseases were the leading cause of death in Aruba. The […]
Antiseptic ointment in the treatment of venous ulcer: A case report
Venous leg ulcers are one of the most common type of chronic lower extremity ulcers. They can be slow to heal and are both painful and costly (Bonkemeyer Millanet al, 2019). Venous ulcers affect a large portion of the adult population and their prevalence and incidence increases with aging and higher prevalence of associated chronic […]
Treatment with WOUND dressing spray based on St John’s wort oil and neem oil
The healing of acute wounds usually follows a fixed structured physiological pattern. This pattern consists of four different phases (haemostasis, inflammation, proliferation and remodelling). If this pattern is disturbed, the healing process is delayed and the wound may become chronic, which may result in ‘hard-to-heal’ or complex wounds (Sorg et al, 2017). Causes of delayed […]
Chemotherapy-induced eruptive pustulosis refractory to traditional dermatologic treatment
Clinical treatment of chronic wounds is an ever-evolving practice, largely consisting of multiple modalities including mechanical and enzymatic debridement, washing of wounds, and disruption of microbial or fungal colonisation to allow for re-epithelialisation (Velnar et al, 2009). In the last decade, researchers have implicated microbial biofilms as a key impedance in the successful healing of […]
A case series on improving the management of malignant cutaneous wounds through silicone SAP dressings
Cutaneous wounds are defined as a ‘disruption of normal anatomic structure and function’ of the skin due to an injury/break (Chhabra et al, 2017). MCWs develop when cancer cells infiltrate and proliferate within normal skin and surrounding tissues. These wounds mostly occur either due to metastatic growth of a primary skin cancer or skin invasion […]
Taking the pain out of wound healing with microcurrent electrical stimulation therapy
Patients often report that relentless wound pain is one of the most challenging aspects of living with a hard-to-heal wound. Severe or moderate wound pain can significantly impact wellbeing, disrupt sleep patterns, make movement difficult and contribute to anxiety and depression (Hellström et al, 2016). Pain is frequently cited as one of the main reasons […]
Demystifying in vitro evidence and standards: the power of clinical evidence
The audience, consisting of nurses, tissue viability nurses, doctors, industry and others (including PhD students), were posed questions on their experience of wound bed preparation. From this, it was highlighted that the audience’s preferred wound cleansing agent in practice is a surfactant solution; they believe that mechanical debridement is an integral part of wound bed […]
Impact of wound leakage on quality of life for patients with lower extremity wounds
The importance of promoting wound healing through the selection of appropriate compression bandages and dressings, while also considering the individual needs of patients, particularly those marginalised in society (e.g. people experiencing homelessness), was emphasised. The symposium concluded with the presentation of several case studies that highlighted various aspects of venous leg ulcer (VLU) care, exudate […]
Wounds digest 15-3
In this section, we present brief synopses of a range of recently published articles that may be of interest to healthcare professionals working in the wound care setting. The aim of this round-up is to provide an overview, rather than a detailed summary and critique, of the research papers selected. Full references are provided should […]
Autolytic continuous debridement with a focus on biofilm management: Consensus document for the APAC region
Debridement is a key step in wound bed preparation (WBP), removing barriers to healing and facilitating successful treatment. Autolytic debridement—through topical treatment or wound dressings—may be an ideal option for many patients and their wounds. As well as removing dead tissue, slough and debris from the wound, continuous debridement can play an important role in […]
