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The Continuum of Wound Care Dressings- Alginates and Composite Dressings

The Continuum of Wound Care Dressings- Alginates and Composite Dressings

ByLaurie Swezey

Continuing our review of dressings and their unique characteristics, let’s look at two other dressing types: alginates and composite dressings. Alginates Alginates are made from specific types of brown seaweed which contain alginic acid salts converted into sodium/calcium salts. They may be woven or nonwoven and look similar to cotton. These dressings, when placed in…

The Continuum of Wound Dressings – Hydrogels and Foams

The Continuum of Wound Dressings – Hydrogels and Foams

ByLaurie Swezey

Continuing on in our discussion of wound dressings, let’s turn our attention to hydrogels and semipermeable foams. Hydrogels for Wound Care Hydrogels are water- or glycerin-based wound dressings that come in sheets, gels or impregnated gauzes. Hydrogels swell and are able to absorb small amounts of fluids. They are also able to add moisture to…

The Continuum of Wound Dressings- Semipermeable Film Dressings

ByLaurie Swezey

As you know, there are more than 3000 wound care products available on the market, which can make it very confusing for practitioners to choose the correct wound care product for their clients’ wounds. Let’s continue our discussion on the continuum of wound dressings. Semipermeable Film Dressings These dressings are thin and flexible and are…

Wound Assessment: Assessing the Periwound and Surrounding Skin

Wound Assessment: Assessing the Periwound and Surrounding Skin

ByLaurie Swezey

In addition to noting the characteristics of the wound itself, clinicians should also examine the periwound and the surrounding skin, comparing this tissue to the skin outside the affected area, as well as comparing the opposite (contralateral) side where possible. Structure and Quality When assessing the periwound and surrounding skin, the following should be noted:…

Wound Assessment- Wound Location and Size

Wound Assessment- Wound Location and Size

ByLaurie Swezey

Prior to assessing a wound, it may be necessary to irrigate and/or debride the wound so that the actual size of the wound can be determined, as well as the wound characteristics. Ideally, the same person should assess the wound each time, with the patient positioned in the same manner, to maximize the reliability of…

Wound Assessment- Diagnostic Tests

Wound Assessment- Diagnostic Tests

ByLaurie Swezey

Diagnostic tests can be an important part of wound assessment, providing valuable information about the patient’s health status as well as the patient’s potential for healing. Although you as a practitioner may not order all of these tests, tests are often available as part of the patient file or may be requested from the patient’s…

Wound Assessment- Past and Current Wound History

Wound Assessment- Past and Current Wound History

ByLaurie Swezey

Obviously, when you are assessing a patient for the first time it is important to ask about their current wound and the circumstances behind it. Equally important is to ask about their history of previous wounds in terms of what treatments were used, how long it took to heal the wound and whether there were…

MRSA Infected Wounds: A Study Involving Oakin® Antimicrobial Dressings

MRSA Infected Wounds: A Study Involving Oakin® Antimicrobial Dressings

ByLaurie Swezey

Wound care practitioners are no doubt aware that the incidence of MRSA infected wounds in the community is increasing, resulting in new challenges in wound management. A study that appeared in the Journal of Wound Care (February, 2014) describes a new approach to the treatment of wounds infected with MRSA using a dressing derived from…