April 7, 2017
Documentation of turning and repositioning often leads to legal problems as some healthcare providers chart by exception and others chart at the point of care. “The hospital never turned the patient, and therefore the patient suffered a serious pressure injury,” declared the plaintiff attorney. The defense team shot back, “Whoa. Slow down. Never is long […]
March 31, 2017
How to identify and treat intertriginous dermatitis (ITD) within the skin folds among obese patients. Statistics show that more than one in three adults in the U.S. are obese (BMI>30). Patients within this population often have skin folds in many areas of the body, especially under the arms, in the groin, under the breasts, and […]
March 15, 2017
Check out these four new and cutting-edge wound treatments that’ll have you excited and ready for the future. When it comes to wound care, there are some incredible developments in progress that might just blow your mind. In fact, these new products and wound treatments are so cutting-edge, they sound like they’re straight out of […]
March 10, 2017
Trained wound care clinicians truly make a difference in the lives of their patients. This caregiver knows first-hand, and wanted to share her story. Recently, a 45-year-old caregiver by the name of Annie* contacted WCEI for help. She was desperate and in search of answers. Her personal account serves as a sobering reminder of why […]
March 3, 2017
Plaintiffs often express shock and disbelief after eschar is removed, which often leaves a wound larger than the original size of the eschar. Wound photo: “Stage 4 decubitus displaying the Gluteus medius muscle attached to the crest of the ilium” by Bobjgalindo is licensed under CC BY 2.0 “We were in shock and couldn’t believe our […]
February 10, 2017
What should wound care professionals do when a physician orders wet-to-dry dressings? Be prepared and know the facts. Those of us in wound care know that wet-to-dry dressings are considered substandard care. Some physicians, however, commonly order wet-to-dry dressings for patients, often leaving clinicians in a tricky situation. Do you feel conflicted as to how […]
February 3, 2017
The battle between optimal medical care and patient rights is one to fight with empathy and finesse to keep it out of the courtroom. I recently reviewed a lawsuit filed by the family of a patient* with a spinal cord injury. The patient was involved in a car accident and sustained multiple traumatic injuries. The […]
January 27, 2017
Drainage bulbs can be frustrating for patients and caregivers. But they don’t have to be, thanks to an innovative R.N., her mother and a sewing machine. As a wound care professional, you’ve probably had at least some experience with patients who need drains as part of the post-procedure healing process. But what you might not […]
January 13, 2017
How can you tell if a wound is really infected? Learn how to spot the signs of infection and be a skilled wound investigator. Are you ready, wound detectives, to tackle a new case? This time, we’re learning how to spot the signs of infection. Remember, the wound will tell us what we need to […]
January 6, 2017
Each stoma is unique. Get more information on the different types of stoma and learn the ideal characteristics of a healthy stoma.