Wound healing proceeds in a relatively organized fashion, following three processes that overlap- inflammation, proliferation and maturation/remodeling (some sources will describe this process as four phases breaking the inflammation process into hemostasis and inflammation). How much do you remember about the phases of wound healing? First, let’s take a look at the inflammatory phase, which…
If you work with adults you will likely work with wounds, and if you work with wounds, you will frequently be called upon to treat diabetic ulcers. Diabetic ulcers are extremely common and can lead to lower extremity amputation if not treated early and aggressively. These diabetic ulcer resources can help you manage your diabetic…
Prevention of Pressure Ulcers due to Incontinence Must Be a Priority Incontinence is a common risk factor for pressure ulcers. If you have worked in aged care or with elderly patients, you will know this to be true. Wet, moist skin can lead to rapid skin breakdown and the development of a pressure ulcer. There…
A Wound Care Nurse Salary is Generally Higher There are many reasons why you might choose to become a certified wound care specialist. Becoming certified might enhance the skills you already possess, allow you to apply for a different or higher position and/or win you the respect of your colleagues and employer. Best of all,…
The Perfect Wound Care Job May Be Worth Pursuing Are you looking to advance your career? Thinking of a new direction? Wound care is one of the fastest growing fields for health care professionals and landing the perfect wound care job may not be as hard as you think. The rapid aging of the world’s population,…
It may seem to you that fast wound healing is a myth on par with the Easter Bunny- everyone has heard of it but no one has actually seen it! This is understandable if you have been bogged down in chronic wounds that take forever to heal, frustrating both you and your client. Circumstances for…
These days, many patients are discharged prematurely from the hospital. Home care nurses and community health workers may be overwhelmed caring for patients with complicated wounds for home wound care. Patients who have less complicated wounds are often discharged home to care for their own wounds with little instruction as to how they can facilitate wound…
Diabetic wounds are different from any other wounds. Diabetic wound care requires specialized training due to the propensity for diabetic wounds to heal slowly and take a turn for the worse very quickly. Clinicians working in diabetic wound care must have the necessary knowledge to recognize complications and intervene appropriately. The consequences of poorly managed…
Although many of us intuitively know that serial debridement works (we’ve seen the results), as healthcare professionals we must base our practice on evidence-based knowledge. I went searching for the evidence to support this practice and was surprised that I could not find reams of studies supporting serial debridement. If we know it works and…
A deep tissue injury is a unique form of pressure ulcer. The National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel defines a deep tissue injury as “A pressure-related injury to subcutaneous tissues under intact skin. Initially, these lesions have the appearance of a deep bruise. These lesions may herald the subsequent development of a Stage III-IV pressure ulcer…
