Learn how to determine what wound exudate is telling you

July 1st, 2020
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wound exudate

An integral part of a wound assessment includes analyzing the type and amount of wound exudate coming from the wound.

Knowing how to correctly make those observations and documenting accordingly is critical to a comprehensive assessment. Ultimately, we want a wound with an optimal level of moisture to support healing and not an overly moist or dry environment.

However, as wound care specialists or experts, we need to take it one step further and ask a few more questions.

  • Is this the type and amount of drainage I expect to see based on the wound’s current healing path? 
  • If it is not, why is the exudate presenting this way? 
  • How do we correct that? 

A good wound care clinician does more than just make observations and note them. They are continually critically thinking and asking “why” and seeking solutions. 

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Posted in Infection, Wound and skin management, Wound assessment, Wound care | No Comments »

Telewound sessions: Best practices when conducting virtual appointments

June 24th, 2020
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Telewound

With the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth and telewound services are in high demand.

For many wound care clinicians, providing telewound services may be a new addition to their practice.

We spoke with two telewound experts to help you learn more about best practices and possible glitches when conducting a telewound session.

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Posted in Technology, Wound and skin management, Wound assessment, Wound care | No Comments »

Your state nurse practice act can dictate wound care liability

June 17th, 2020
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state nurse practice act

I received a question about an RN who was practicing in a “wound center.” 

She received notice from her state board of nursing that a complaint had been filed concerning her treatment of a patient’s wound. 

According to the RN, a substitute physician saw her patient one week. He told the patient and a family member that Tegaderm should not have been used on the wound.

In addition, the substitute physician said there were two wounds — not one — and the second had not been treated.

The RN stressed the following:

  • There was only one wound
  • The substitute doctor was incorrect
  • The patient’s regular physician had been seeing the patient for some time and knew there was only one wound
  • She was upset about the complaint
  • Had to hire an attorney to represent her before the board
  • She believes the physician defamed her and should pay her attorney fees
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Posted in Wound and skin management, Wound care, Wound care litigation | Comments Off on Your state nurse practice act can dictate wound care liability

Determine if live online training is a good fit for your learning style

June 10th, 2020
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A man logs onto his live online training course at his desk.

Are you thinking about taking our courses to earn wound care certification?

We personalize your learning by offering a variety of skin, wound and ostomy management classes in three formats:

  • Live onsite — in-person training
  • Online — you log in to learn at a convenient time for you
  • Live online training — all students log in at the same scheduled time for live, interactive classes and instruction

While some students know exactly which format best suits their learning style, you may wonder which structure fits your needs.

We spoke with Denise Richlen, PT, WCC, DWC, CLT, clinical instructor with WCEI, co-owner and COO of Infinitus, LLC and Wound Care Gurus, LLC in Santa Claus, Ind., to understand the different learning formats.

She shared which ones may be most suitable for various learners, and in particular, the benefits of live online learning.

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Posted in Wild on Wounds Conference, Wound and skin management | Comments Off on Determine if live online training is a good fit for your learning style

PPE: How to reduce your chance of pressure injuries during COVID-19

June 3rd, 2020
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PPE

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is critical to your safety while caring for patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

But healthcare workers also should be aware of PPE guidelines to prevent side effects. For example, pressure injuries can occur from wearing the items meant to keep you protected.

Because of the nature of how the virus spreads, those caring for infected patients are required to wear masks in an effort to reduce risk of acquiring the virus.

Working an entire shift in this environment requires wearing a mask almost continually, which has led to the development of tissue damage from moisture and pressure.

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Posted in Pressure injury, Wound and skin management | Comments Off on PPE: How to reduce your chance of pressure injuries during COVID-19

Ability of patient to provide own ostomy care called into question

May 27th, 2020
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ostomy

As a wound care nurse, you teach your patients how to care for their wounds, including a colostomy.

You teach them as they observe treatments you provide, such as ostomy care, while they are at a clinic.

It also includes orally reciting your care as you carry out treatment and direct the patient. This empowers them to understand what is required for appropriate personal care. 

You also might write down instructions and diagrams about required treatment that patients can take home and reference.

The teach-back method of patient instruction incorporates both of these approaches. This is when you have the patient repeat back what you instruct and demonstrate the care you described.

Any patient teaching also requires that the patient comprehend your:

  • Demonstration of care
  • Verbal instructions
  • Ability to carry out the treatment
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Posted in Ostomy, Stoma, Wound care documentation, Wound care litigation | Comments Off on Ability of patient to provide own ostomy care called into question

Malignant wounds: How to identify and treat them

May 20th, 2020
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malignant wounds

Some wound care clinicians have experience caring for patients with malignant wounds.

But you may not be familiar with them at all. We recently spoke with a malignant wounds expert to learn more about them.

That expert is Joni Brinker, MSN/MHA, RN, WCC, an Ohio-based consultant and clinical nurse educator with Optum Hospice Pharmacy Services of Eden Prairie, Minn.

She is a returning speaker for our 2020 virtual Wild on Wounds (WOW) national conference in September. She offered the following explanation.

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Posted in Infection, Wild on Wounds Conference, Wound and skin management, Wound care education | Comments Off on Malignant wounds: How to identify and treat them

Maggot debridement therapy and leech therapy are viable options

May 13th, 2020
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maggot debridement therapy

Using maggots and leeches in the healthcare setting can make many people cringe, including seasoned wound care clinicians.

But the age-old treatments of maggot debridement therapy and leech therapy are relatively inexpensive and fairly effective.

“Maggot therapy can save a limb in approximately 40% to 60% of patients scheduled for amputation,” said Ronald Sherman, MD, MSc, DTM&H, director at BioTherapuetics, Education & Research (BTER) Foundation, co-founder.

Sherman also works as the laboratory director at Monarch Labs and a practicing physician in Orange County, Calif.

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Posted in Debridement, Infection, Wild on Wounds Conference, Wound and skin management | Comments Off on Maggot debridement therapy and leech therapy are viable options

How to differentiate stasis dermatitis from cellulitis

May 6th, 2020
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stasis dermatitis

In my experience, I have encountered the confusion between venous dermatitis and cellulitis that plagues the wound care industry. 

The unlikely diagnosis of “bilateral cellulitis” is not uncommon in wound care, followed by two weeks of unnecessary antibiotic therapy.

Despite some similarities, there are many differentiating characteristics that diagnosing clinicians either overlook or misunderstand. 

In an effort to help clinicians more accurately differentiate the two conditions, we will discuss the differences in this blog post. It will help you prescribe appropriate treatments and improve patient outcomes.

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Posted in Infection, Wound and skin management, Wound assessment, Wound care education | Comments Off on How to differentiate stasis dermatitis from cellulitis

Why continued competence in wound care nursing matters

April 29th, 2020
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continued competence

Continued competence in nursing is not a new idea. It has been the focus of professional nursing practice at all levels.

You can find an abundance of information, research and articles on continued competence, whether the topic is:

  • How continued competence is measured
  • How it can be improved
  • How best to increase and maintain competence

One definition of competence is the quality or state of having sufficient knowledge, judgment, skill or strength (as for a particular duty or in a particular respect).

Another definition describes competence as the quality of being competent — adequacy; the possession of required skill, judgment, qualification or capacity.

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Posted in Wound care litigation | Comments Off on Why continued competence in wound care nursing matters

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