A Digital Tool for Measuring Healing of Chronic Wounds Treated with an Antioxidant Dressing: A Case Series.

(1) Abstract: Wound monitoring is an essential aspect in the evaluation of wound healing. This can be carried out with the multidimensional tool HELCOS, which develops a quantitative analysis and graphic representation of wound healing evolution via imaging. It compares the area and tissues present in the wound bed. This instrument is used for chronic wounds in which the healing process is altered. This article describes the potential use of this tool to improve the monitoring and follow-up of wounds and presents a case series of various chronic wounds with diverse etiology treated with an antioxidant dressing. (2) Methods: A secondary analysis of data from a case series of wounds treated with an antioxidant dressing and monitored with the HELCOS tool. (3) Results: The HELCOS tool is useful for measuring changes in the wound area and identifying wound bed tissues. In the six cases described in this article, the tool was able to monitor the healing of the wounds treated with the antioxidant dressing. (4) Conclusions: the monitoring of wound healing with this multidimensional HELCOS tool offers new possibilities to facilitate treatment decisions by healthcare professionals.

The Effectiveness of Advanced Practice Nurses with Respect to Complex Chronic Wounds in the Management of Venous Ulcers.

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of advanced practice nurses with respect to complex chronic wounds (APN-CCWs) in the care of patients with venous ulcers. A multicentric, quasi-experimental pre-post study was conducted without a control group in the sanitary management areas where the APN-CCW program is being piloted. The intervention consisted of a mass training of clinical nurses from the participating districts on the proper management of injuries and the use of compression therapy. The data were collected through a specifically constructed questionnaire with questions regarding descriptive variables of injuries and their treatment. A total of 643 professionals responded (response rate of 89.1%), attending to a total population of 707,814 inhabitants. An increase in multilayer bandage use by 15.67%, an increase in elastic bandage use by 13.24%, and a significant decrease in the referral of patients to consultation with hospital specialists was achieved, from 21.08% to 12.34%. The number of patients referred to the APNs was 13.25%, which implied a resolution rate of 94.08% of their injuries. In conclusion, the coordination by the APN-CCWs in patients with venous ulcers was effective in improving the continuity of care, in the optimization of resources, and in their care role.

The advanced practice nurse in the adequacy of chronic, complex wound care. / La enfermera de práctica avanzada en la adecuación de los tratamientos de las heridas crónicas complejas.

AIM: To determine the impact of advanced practice nurses in chronic wound care in the adequacy of treatments for patients with chronic wounds and the consumption of dressings in the districts where they have been implemented. METHOD: A quasi-experimental pre-poststudy without a control group with 3measurements: pre-implementation in 2015, one year after implementation in 2016, and 2years post-implementation in 2017, in the health districts (HD) where the role of the advanced practice nurse in chronic wound care was piloted in Andalusia. The main variables were trained professionals, consultancies, prevalence of chronic wounds, adequacy of treatments and economic cost in materials for the participating HD. RESULTS: The training of a total of 2,717 health teams with a total of 95,095 teaching hours was achieved. In addition, a total of 3,871 consultancies were performed. The prevalence of patients with injuries in the home care (HC) programme and in care homes diminished significantly, to almost half. The adequacy of the treatments increased to 90% and savings of more than 250,000€ in dressings were achieved in just 2years. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of chronic wounds during the 2years of implementation decreased by almost half. Adequacy of training and consultancy was achieved, rationalising health expenditure and ensuring efficient care for patients with chronic wounds.