Wound bed preparation: an overview.

Wound bed preparation is the management of a wound in order to optimise healing and/or facilitate other therapeutic measures. It is the most pivotal step in healing wounds. Early referral to a specialist wound clinic can markedly improve the wound healing process. This overview will discuss the techniques involved in the preparation of the wound bed that will effectively accelerate the healing process. The process begins with a correct diagnosis of the wound and optimising the patient's medical condition. The TIMERS framework is discussed. Wound dressings, including the use of negative-pressure wound therapy, are discussed, along with debridement techniques and agents. The timing of wound intervention and evaluating progress will also be discussed, and wound bed preparation strategies will be included. There has been an added challenge of wound care in the community as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The present article provides an overview of how to prepare a wound bed in the community.

Preliminary Experience with Conservative Sharp Wound Debridement by Nurses in the Outpatient Management of Diabetic Foot Ulcers: Safety, Efficacy, and Economic Analysis.

Background: Treatment of diabetes costs the United States an estimated $245 billion annually; one-third of which is related to the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). We present a safe, efficacious, and economically prudent model for the outpatient treatment of uncomplicated DFUs. Methods: 77 patients (mean age = 54 years, range 31 to 83) with uncomplicated DFUs prospectively enrolled from September 2008 through February 2012. All patients received an initial sharp debridement by one of two orthopaedic foot and ankle fellowship trained surgeons. Ulcer dressings, offloading devices, and debridement procedures were standardized. Patients were evaluated every two weeks by research nurses who utilized a clinical management algorithm and performed conservative sharp wound debridement (CSWD). Results: Average time to clinical healing was 6.0 weeks. There were no complications of CSWD performed by nurses. The sensitivity for the timely identification of wound deterioration was 100%, specificity = 86.49%, PPV = 68.75% and NPV = 100% with an overall accuracy of 89.58%. The estimated cost savings in this model by having nurses perform CSWD was $223.26 per encounter, which, when extrapolated to national estimates, amounts to $1.56 billion to $2.49 billion in potential annual savings across six to ten-week treatment periods, respectively. Conclusion: CSWD of DFUs by nurses in a vertically integrated multidisciplinary team is a safe, effective, and fiscally responsible clinical practice. This clinical model on a national scale could result in significant healthcare savings. Surgeons and other licensed independent practitioners would have more time for evaluating and treating more complex and operative patients; nurses would be practicing closer to the full extent of their education and training as allowed in most states.Level of Evidence: III.

Wound Healing and Wound Care in Neonates: Current Therapies and Novel Options.

GENERAL PURPOSE: To provide wound care information that considers the specific physiology of neonates. TARGET AUDIENCE: This continuing education activity is intended for physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses with an interest in skin and wound care. LEARNING OBJECTIVES/OUTCOMES: After participating in this educational activity, the participant will:1. Differentiate the use of hydrocolloids, hydrogels, foam dressings, and barrier creams in the neonatal population.2. Identify issues related to the use of solvents, alginates, collagen dressings, and negative-pressure wound therapy in neonates. ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVETo discuss what is known about the wound milieu in premature and full-term neonates, including the unique challenges pediatric clinicians face, the therapies that have proven effective, and the therapies contraindicated for use in neonatal wound healing to guide treatment that accounts for the specific physiological characteristics of this often overlooked population. DATA SOURCES: Data were collected on neonatal wound healing from a wide variety of sources, including PubMed, Google Scholar, journals, and textbooks. STUDY SELECTION: Selection criteria included publications focused on the differences and nuances of wound healing in neonates in comparison with all other age groups. DATA EXTRACTION: Data were extracted based on articles covering wound healing therapies with proven effectiveness in neonates. Terms for neonatal wound care were compiled, and then a comprehensive literature search was performed by the authors. DATA SYNTHESIS: Although many therapies are safe for treatment of older children and adolescents, most have not been explicitly tested for neonatal use. This article reviews therapies with proven effectiveness and/or specific concerns in the neonatal population. CONCLUSION: This review sheds light on the advantages and disadvantages of current standards of care regarding wound healing for neonates to direct researchers and clinicians toward developing treatments specifically for this delicate population.

To discuss what is known about the wound milieu in premature and full-term neonates, including the unique challenges pediatric clinicians face, the therapies that have proven effective, and the therapies contraindicated for use in neonatal wound healing to guide treatment that accounts for the specific physiological characteristics of this often overlooked population. Data were collected on neonatal wound healing from a wide variety of sources, including PubMed, Google Scholar, journals, and textbooks. Selection criteria included publications focused on the differences and nuances of wound healing in neonates in comparison with all other age groups. Data were extracted based on articles covering wound healing therapies with proven effectiveness in neonates. Terms for neonatal wound care were compiled, and then a comprehensive literature search was performed by the authors. Although many therapies are safe for treatment of older children and adolescents, most have not been explicitly tested for neonatal use. This article reviews therapies with proven effectiveness and/or specific concerns in the neonatal population. This review sheds light on the advantages and disadvantages of current standards of care regarding wound healing for neonates to direct researchers and clinicians toward developing treatments specifically for this delicate population.

Active debridement of venous leg ulcers: a literature review to inform clinical practice.

Community nurses often care for patients with sloughy venous leg ulcers. Slough is viewed as a potential infection source and an impediment to healing, but it is unclear if active debridement of slough promotes healing. Using a clinical scenario as a contextual basis, this literature review sought research evidence to answer this clinical question. A strategy based on the '4S' approach was used to identify research evidence. The retrieved evidence included one systematic review, three clinical guidelines and six qualitative and quantitative studies. The analysis suggested that there is no robust evidence to support the routine practice of active debridement of venous leg ulcers to promote healing, and that debridement is associated with increased pain. Since autolytic debridement can be achieved through the application of graduated compression therapy, active debridement may offer no additional benefit.

[A new cleansing technique for complex wounds]. / Une nouvelle technique de détersion pour les plaies complexes.

Fast, effective and pain-free cleansing is essential in the management of wounds, in order to favour the formation of the granulation tissue and the filling of the cavity. Faced with a chronic wound which was not progressing from the inflammatory phase, caregivers put in place a technique combining negative pressure therapy and instillations of sodium bicarbonate and oxygenated water. The initial results are promising, with the patient benefiting from effective and pain-free cleansing.

Wound bed preparation: a survey of general nurses' understanding.

This article will discuss the clinician's knowledge of wound assessment based on electronic voting responses gathered at the Journal of Wound Care conference, ''Wound Expo', held in September 2015. Data were gathered on aspects such as demographic data, experience and opinions. Each workshop lasted 45 minutes and they were designed purposely to be interactive and inclusive. The session was repeated ten times over the 2-day period. A total number of 196 delegates participated in the voting and amongst the questions posed they were asked to consider which term most suited their skill set and understanding, that of 'debridement' or 'desloughing'. Of the respondents, 91% stated that they felt most confident in desloughing.

Análise da prevalência de desbridamento cirúrgico de úlcera por pressão em um hospital municipal / Análisis de la prevalencia del desbridamiento quirúrgico de las úlceras por presión en un hospital municipal / Analysis of the prevalence of surgical debridement of pressure ulcers in a municipal hospital

This study aimed to assessing the prevalence of surgical debridement of Pressure Ulcer (PU), describe the socio-demographic, clinical profile and anatomical location of the PU. Method: This was a retrospective study with a quantitative analysis of the data obtained in the period from August 2011 to June 2013 made with 416 records of surgical clinic of a general hospital, where 47 patients underwent surgical debridement. Results: The prevalence of 11,29 % of surgical debridement related to UPP, of these, 59,57% male, comorbidities 38,02%, Hypertension 26,76% Diabetes Mellitus. The anatomical locations of the UPP were 40,74% sacrococcygeal, 24,69% calcaneus and 19,75% trochanter. Conclusion: The prevalence of debridement of PU was high in the elderly, from the home, with comorbidities, which corroborated the need to implement prevention PU program integrated continuum of care for these patients and reference strengthen home care protocols for reducing these injuries...

Avaliar a prevalência de desbridamentos cirúrgicos de Úlcera por Pressão (UPP), descrever o perfil sociodemográfico, clínico e localização anatômica das UPP. Método: Estudo retrospectivo, com análise quantitativa dos dados obtidos no período de agosto de 2011 a junho de 2013, realizado com 416 prontuários da clínica cirúrgica de um hospital geral, onde 47 pacientes foram submetidos ao desbridamento cirúrgico.Resultados: Encontrou-se prevalência de 11,29% de desbridamento cirúrgico relacionado à UPP, destes,59,57% eram do sexo masculino, comorbidades 38,02%, Hipertensão Arterial Sistêmica 26,76% Diabetes Mellitus. As localizações anatômicas das UPP foram 40,74%, sacrococcígea, 24,69% calcâneo e 19,75% trocanteres. Conclusão: A prevalência de desbridamento de UPP foi elevada em idosos provenientes do domicílio, com comorbidades associadas, o que corroborou a necessidade de implementação de protocolos de prevenção de UPP, programa de cuidados continuados integrados para referência desses pacientes e fortalecimento da assistência domiciliar para redução desses agravos...

Estudio retrospectivo, exploratorio que tuvo como objetivo evaluar la prevalencia de desbridamiento quirúrgico relacionado con úlcera por presión (UPP) en un Hospital General, describiendo el perfil socio-demográfico y clínico de la localización anatómica de las úlceras por presión. Método: Se llevó a cabo con 416 registros clínicos del centro quirúrgico, los datos obtenidos mediante el análisis de los registros fueron procesados utilizando el software de Microsoft Office Excel 2007. Resultados: Los resultados mostraron prevalencia de 11,29% en el desbridamiento quirúrgico relacionado con UPP, de estos, 59,57% sexo masculino, 53,19 % tienen entre 60 a 79 años, el 19,14 % de 80 años y más. Las comorbilidades más prevalentes fueron la hipertensión arterial y la diabetes mellitus 38,02% y 26,76 %. Como las ubicaciones de la UPP fueron sacrococcígea 40,74 %, 24,69% calcáneo, trocánter 19,75%. Conclusión: Se sugieren nuevos estudios que involucran el tema y hay una necesidad de implementar el programa de prevención de UPP continuo integrado de atención para estos pacientes y referencia fortalecer los protocolos de atención a domicilio para reducir estas lesiones...

Slough and biofilm: removal of barriers to wound healing by desloughing.

The presence of non-viable tissue in a chronic wound presents a barrier against effective wound healing, hence removal facilitates healing and reduces areas where microorganisms can attach and form biofilms, effectively reducing the risk of infection. Wound debridement is a necessary process in those wounds that have evidence of cellular debris and non-viable tissue. As slough is a form of non-viable tissue we hypothesise that it will support the attachment and development of biofilms. Biofilms are entities that have serious implications in raising the risk of infection and delaying wound healing. In those wounds that contain only slough, high-risk debridement methods are not considered necessary for its removal. The use of mechanical techniques for removing the slough is regarded as posing a much lower risk to the patient and the wound bed. The process of removing slough from a wound is referred to as 'desloughing'. We propose that mechanical desloughing is a low-risk method of debridement to aid the specific removal of slough. Slough in a wound is a recurrent issue for a large majority of patients. Consequently, desloughing should not be deemed a one-off process but an on-going procedure referred to as 'maintenance desloughing'. Maintenance desloughing will help to achieve and maintain a healthy wound bed and aid the removal of wound biofilms, facilitating wound healing.

Wound care considerations in neonates.

Wound care management is a complex issue when caring for the neonate. An understanding of the anatomy and physiology of neonatal skin is necessary to recognise and prevent any potential problems. Effective wound care is a dynamic process based on accurate assessment and the setting of realistic goals. Knowledge of the specific characteristics of neonatal skin and the wound healing process is required when determining appropriate treatment and selecting wound care products.

Understanding methods of wound debridement.

Autolytic debridement describes the body's natural method of wound-bed cleansing, helping it to prepare the wound bed for healing. In acute wounds, autolytic debridement occurs automatically and often does not require intervention, as during the inflammatory stage of a wound, neutrophils and macrophages digest and removes devitalised tissue, cell debris and contaminants, clearing the wound of any cellular barriers to healing. In chronic wounds, by contrast, healing is often delayed, frequently because of inadequate debridement. The autolytic process becomes overwhelmed by high levels of endotoxins released from damaged tissue (Broadus, 2013). Therefore wound debridement becomes an integral part of chronic-wound management and practitioners involved in wound care must be fully competent at wound-bed assessment and have an awareness of the options available for debridement. This article will review wound-bed assessment, highlighting variations in devitalised tissue, and explore options available for wound debridement, taking into consideration patients' pain and quality of life.

Are community nurses prepared for wound debridement?

Debridement is an essential component of wound care. However, autolysis remains a frequently used method of debridement, despite recent recommendations from the European Wound Management Association and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Community nurses are recognised as front-line clinicians participating in debridement interventions. It is essential that community nurses are able to deliver the most appropriate debridement method regardless of their current skill set. This will require community nurses to revisit the evidence base for debridement, reflect on their current methods of debridement and expand their skill set when required. Guidance exists to ensure community nurses are able to offer appropriate and safe debridement to clients with non-viable tissue which is delaying the wound healing process.

[Negative pressure therapy and acute wounds]. / La thérapie par pression negative et les plaies aiguës.

Negative pressure therapy medical techniques constitute a revolution in wound care, notably with acute wounds.The latter, often surgical, are treated as an emergency

[Debridement- crucial procedure in the treatment of chronic wounds]. / Debridement- krucijalni postupak u lijecenju kronicnih rana.

Debridement is the process of removing dead tissue from the wound bed. Devitalized tissue can obstruct or completely stop healing of the wound. The aim of debridement is to transform a chronic wound into an acute wound and to initiate the process of healing. Debridement is the basis of each wound treatment and it has to be repeated, depending on the necrotic tissue formation. There are several types of debridement, as follows: mechanical, autolytic, chemical, enzymatic, biological, and new debridement techniques. With advances in technology, new types of debridement have been introduced. Besides standard methods, methods of pulsed lavage debridement (hydro-surgery, water-jet) and ultrasound-assisted wound treatment are ever more frequently introduced. The method of debridement the clinician will choose depends on the amount of necrotic (devitalized) tissue in the wound bed, size and depth of the wound, underlying disease, possible comorbidity, and the patient general condition. Frequently, the methods of debridement are combined in order to achieve better removal of devitalized tissue. In addition, debridement significantly reduces bacterial burden.

A special case: treatment of a patient with necrotising fasciitis.

The case study in this article describes the rapid and accurate diagnosis of a critically ill patient with necrotising fasciitis (NF). Full-thickness patchy skin necrosis of the right thigh, buttock and flank was detected on admission. Prompt radical debridement together with aggressive fluid resuscitation and broad-spectrum antibiotic administration was initiated. Case ascertainment was used to evaluate the effectiveness of a debridement and wound treatment regime,using a monofilament debridement product, negative wound pressure treatment and, after the critical period had ended, a bio-cellulose+ polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) dressing, followed by a collagen dressing. NF after open haemorrhoidectomy represents a life-threatening complication to otherwise healthy patients. Accurate diagnosis, prompt critical care and surgical treatment, together with debridement using the monofilament product and effective wound bed preparation, lead to a successful outcome.

Desvelando a terapia larval como alternativa no tratamento de lesões de pele: revisão integrativa / Descubriendo la terapia de larvas como alternativa en el tratamiento de lesiones de la piel: una revisión integradora / Unveiled the larval therapy as alternative in the treatment of skin lesions: an Integrative review

Objetivo: identificar nas evidências científicas da literatura quais os benefícios que a terapia larval proporciona aos pacientes com lesões de pele através de uma revisão sistemática da literatura, na modalidade de revisão integrativa.Método: para a busca dos artigos e a análise dos dados, foram utilizados dois instrumentos de avaliação. A pesquisa foi realizada entre julho de 2009 a julho de 2010. Resultado: a terapia larval mostrou-se positiva na maior parte dos estudos selecionados tanto em relação à restauração rápida dos tecidos como nos custos. Conclusão: os resultados apresentados proporcionaram um maior conhecimento sobre a terapia larval e mostraram que, apesar de não haver indícios de seu uso no Brasil, pode ser uma opção eficaz, principalmente quando os tratamentos convencionais não funcionam mais

Objective: to identify evidence in the literature in which the benefits of larval therapy provides patients with skin lesions through a systematic literature review in the form of an integrative review. Method: For search of articles and data analysis, we used two assessment tools. The survey was conducted between July 2009 and July 2010. Result: larval therapy was positive in most studies selected in relation to a rapid restoration of tissues such as the costs. Conclusion: the results presented have provided a better understanding of larval therapy and showed that, although there was no evidence of its use in Brazil, can be an effective option, especially when conventional treatments not working

Objetivo: identificar en evidencias en la literatura que los beneficios de la terapia con larvas a los pacientes con lesiones en la piel a través de una revisión sistemática de la literatura, en la forma de una revisión integradora. Método: Para la búsqueda de artículos y análisis de datos, se utilizaron dos instrumentos de evaluación. La encuestafue realizada entre julio de 2009 a julio de 2010. Resultado: la terapia de larvas fue positiva en la mayoría de los estudios seleccionados en relación a una rápida restauración de los tejidos, tales como los costos. Conclusión: los resultados presentados proporcionan una mejor comprensión de la terapia larval y demostraron que, aunque no hay evidencia de su uso en Brasil, puede ser una opción eficaz, especialmente cuando los tratamientos convencionales han ya no funcionan