As we have seen, the TIME mnemonic can be used to capture the fundamental principles of wound bed preparation.1,2 Become a professional at appropriate dressing selection for the different stages of wound healing within the TIME trick. As no single wound dressing is suitable for all wound types or healing stages, wounds should be assessed…
Venous insufficiency is a common condition which results in edema due to elevated pressure within the capillary beds, as well as distention of the capillary beds. Venous insufficiency is often improved in the morning when the patient has been laying down all night, and worsens when the patient is up and the affected limb(s) are…
Charcoal has been introduced into several classes of wound care dressings. Although charcoal in itself does not enhance wound healing, it can help to control odors associated with wounds, such as fungating and/or infected wounds. This is important, as wound malodor can be very upsetting for the patient: “Wound malodor is probably the most distressing symptom…
It has long been known that silver is an effective antimicrobial. In fact, silver has been used as a topical antimicrobial agent for hundreds of years. In recent years, a large number of dressings containing silver compound or a compound that releases silver slowly over time have been developed, adding to the wound care dressing…
In this series, we’ve been discussing the many different types of wound dressings, in terms of indications and precautions. Let’s continue with a discussion of hydrocolloid wound dressings Hydrocolloids Hydrocolloid wound dressings contain hydrophilic (absorbing or distilling in water) colloidal particles, such as pectin, carboxymethylcellulose or gelatin. These dressings absorb fluid slowly and turn into…
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…
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…
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…
Consider the following question: How many wound management products are currently available on today’s market? a) 500 b) 1000 c) 2000 d) more than 3000 If you answered d), you’re correct. There are more than 3000 wound care products available today. It can be very confusing and intimidating for practitioners new to wound care (and…
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…
