Pressure ulcers: a clinical audit to determine compliance against the aSSKINg framework in an adult community nursing setting.

Assessment of pressure ulcer (PU) risk remains a challenge in clinical practice. The first part of this article (Martin and Holloway, 2024) discussed the evidence base underpinning the development of clinical guidelines for PUs alongside the creation of the bundle approach regarding PU prevention. This article, part two, presents the results of a clinical audit that explores compliance against a PU prevention bundle (the aSSKINg framework) in an adult community nursing setting in the south-east of England. The clinical audit was conducted between July-December 2021 and included records of 150 patients. Overall, compliance against the aSSKINg framework was poor, with only two criterion being met: equipment provision for chair and referral to the tissue viability team. Short-term recommendations are that mandatory PU training for staff in the management of PUs should be implemented, and the tissue viability nurse network should be increased. The long-term recommendation was the introduction of the aSSKINg framework as a template into the electronic patient record.

Pressure ulcers: aSSKINg framework study.

Pressure ulcers (PUs) represent a burden to the health economy and patients alike. Despite national and international guidelines regarding the management of risk, the incidence and prevalence across England remains high. Detecting early the risk of PUs is paramount, and requires using a valid risk assessment tool alongside clinical judgement and management of associated risk factors. There is a need to implement prevention strategies. Introducing care bundles for pressure ulcers, for example SKIN, SSKIN and most recently aSSKINg, is designed to guide clinicians and reduce variations in care. This article presents a review of the evidence on compliance with guidelines, frameworks, pathways or care bundles within primary and secondary care settings. This article focuses on the literature review that was conducted to inform a subsequent clinical audit of compliance with the aSSKINg framework in a Community NHS Foundation Trust in the South East of England.

A service evaluation to examine the use of compression strapping for the management of patients with retromalleolar leg ulcers in a specialist community setting.

Leg ulcers are costly to the NHS, and they have a significant impact on patients' physical, social, and psychological well-being. Compression therapy is traditionally the "gold-standard" treatment for the management of venous leg ulcers and can be beneficial for those individuals with mixed ulcer aetiology. Evidence suggests that the application of standard, strong, graduated compression bandaging does not apply therapeutic compression to the retromalleolar fossa. The addition of compression strapping has been found to increase sub-bandage pressure, promote healing, reduce pain and increase quality of life in patients with retromalleolar leg ulcers. This service evaluation aimed at evaluating the use of compression strapping with patients with retromalleolar leg ulcers. The service evaluation included 24 patients with 41 ulcers treated with compression strapping by a specialist team. Patients treated with CS had multiple comorbidities and shared common characteristics including foot and ankle oedema, previous ulceration, reduced mobility, and failure to heal despite the application of "gold-standard" compression therapy. Following application of compression strapping, 17 patients (n = 27/41 ulcers) healed, mean pain scores decreased, and mean quality of life scores increased. The compression strapping was tolerated well, and patients reported a positive experience. This service evaluation has contributed towards a growing evidence base that supports the use of CS for the management of patients with retromalleolar leg ulcers.

Development and psychometric property testing of a skin tear knowledge assessment instrument (OASES) in 37 countries.

AIM: To develop and psychometrically evaluate a skin tear knowledge assessment instrument (OASES). DESIGN: Prospective psychometric instrument validation study. METHOD: The skin tear knowledge assessment instrument was developed based on a literature review and expert input (N = 19). Face and content validity were assessed in a two-round Delphi procedure by 10 international experts affiliated with the International Skin Tear Advisory Panel (ISTAP). The instrument was psychometrically tested in a convenience sample of 387 nurses in 37 countries (April-May 2020). Validity of the multiple-choice test items (item difficulty, discriminating index, quality of the response alternatives), construct validity, and test-retest reliability (stability) were analysed and evaluated in light of international reference standards. RESULTS: A 20-item instrument, covering six knowledge domains most relevant to skin tears, was designed. Content validity was established (CVI = 0.90-1.00). Item difficulty varied between 0.24 and 0.94 and the quality of the response alternatives between 0.01-0.52. The discriminating index was acceptable (0.19-0.77). Participants with a theoretically expected higher knowledge level had a significantly higher total score than participants with theoretically expected lower knowledge (p < .001). The 1-week test-retest intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was 0.83 (95% CI = 0.78-0.86) for the full instrument and varied between 0.72 (95% CI = 0.64-0.79) and 0.85 (95% CI = 0.81-0.89) for the domains. Cohen's Kappa coefficients of the individual items ranged between 0.21 and 0.74. CONCLUSION: The skin tear knowledge assessment instrument is supported by acceptable psychometric properties and can be applied in nursing education, research, and practice to assess knowledge of healthcare professionals about skin tears. IMPACT: Prevention and treatment of skin tears are a challenge for healthcare professionals. The provision of adequate care is based on profound and up-to-date knowledge. None of the existing instruments to assess skin tear knowledge is psychometrically tested, nor up-to-date. OASES can be used worldwide to identify education, practice, and research needs and priorities related to skin tears in clinical practice.

Evidence-based review of the effects of nutritional supplementation for pressure ulcer prevention.

The objective of this evidence-based review was to explore whether the evidence supports the use of nutritional supplements in pressure ulcer (PU) prevention strategies. Several electronic databases, including Ovid MEDLINE (1946 to May week 32 019), Ovid EMBASE (1947 to May 28, 2019), EBSCO CINAHL (until June 13, 2019), Scopus (until July 9, 2019), and the Web of Science (until June 13, 2019) were searched. No limitation was placed on the year of publication. Studies considered for inclusion were those with adult populations, and only English language texts with available full text were reviewed. AMSTAR (a measurement tool to assess systematic reviews) was used to evaluate the quality of the studies included in the systematic review. The Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (OCEBM) 2011 Levels of Evidence was used to assess the level of evidence. Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation Instrument (AGREE II) was used to assess guideline article, and Appraisal tool for Cross-Sectional Studies (AXIS) was also used for cross-sectional studies. The search identified 1761 studies. After the application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, 24 studies were retained of various designs, including 10 systematic reviews, five clinical reviews, three randomised controlled trials, two observational studies, one quasi-experimental study, one cross-sectional study, one cohort study, and one Clinical Guideline. Two were rated as high-quality reviews, 14 were rated as moderate-quality reviews, five were rated as low-quality reviews, and three were rated as critically low-quality reviews. The majority of the reviewed studies were of low-to-moderate quality because of biases in the study design and incomplete data reporting, which did not fulfil the reporting criteria of the appraisal tools. However, the majority of the studies showed a reduction in PU incidence after nutritional supplement though not significant. Whether the use of pharmacological appraisal tools to assess non-pharmacological studies is appropriate is unclear. Regardless of the low-to-moderate quality of the studies in this review, nutritional supplements appear to play a role in PU prevention.

Modified compression therapy in mixed arterial-venous leg ulcers: An integrative review.

Leg ulcers remain an increased burden to healthcare cost and morbidity in modern society. While most leg ulcers are venous in origin, recognition and prompt identification of concomitant arterial occlusive disease is critical to determine underlying aetiology and subsequent management. This integrative review presents the current evidence to establish the role of modified compression therapy (MCT) in treatment of mixed arterial venous leg ulcers (MAVLU). A literature search was conducted using the electronic databases CINAHL, MEDLINE, PUBMED, and Embase. Ten studies met the eligibility criteria and were subsequently analysed. Our review concludes that MCT, with compression pressures between 20 and 30 mmHg, can promote healing in MAVLU with moderate arterial insufficiency (0.5 ≤ ABPI ≤0.8). If ABPI is <0.5, MCT can be considered once restoration of acceptable ABPI is achieved. Intolerance, lack of response or further deterioration of disease within 3 months should prompt further arterial imaging and intervention. MCT is generally well tolerated with no adverse outcomes reported. A holistic yet individualised approach is vital in order to account for all factors influencing this patient-led decision-making process, ultimately ensuring effective treatment, which improves patient's quality of life and reduces socioeconomic burden of the disease.

Periwound skin care considerations for older adults.

This article discusses the effects of ageing on the skin, particularly the main structural and functional changes that occur in the epidermis and dermis that make the skin more vulnerable to damage. Specific alterations that occur with ageing include slower epidermal turnover, flattening of the epidermal-dermal junction, loss of moisture and hydration as well as reduced immunity placing the skin at increased risk of damage. The discussion will also examine common periwound complications associated with ageing including; maceration, excoriation, dry skin, hyperkeratosis, callus, contact dermatitis and eczema. Strategies to manage these problems and interventions to reduce the risk of these complications include moisturising the skin to make it more resilient, debriding keratinised and callus tissue in the periwound area, appropriate choice of dressings to manage excessive exudate, careful removal of dressings as well as treating inflammatory conditions of the periwound skin.

The use of prosthetic mesh for abdominal wall repairs: A semi-systematic-literature review.

Following abdominal wall surgery, incisions are commonly sutured, stapled, or glued together by primary intention. Developments within the field of tissue engineering have led to the use of prosthetic meshes, with over 20 million meshes implanted each year worldwide. The function of the mesh is to hold together abdominal wall incisions and repair abdominal hernias. This has been demonstrated to be highly effective in some individuals; however, some patients have experienced postoperative complications, including dehiscence with further abdominal herniation (viscera protruding through the abdominal wall). Little is currently known about why these complications occur in a subset of patients who have had prosthetic mesh implants in abdominal wall repairs; therefore, this literature review examined existing studies identified via six electronic databases. A total of 463 studies were identified, of which 13 were included in this review. The results identified that the prosthetic mesh is highly successful in a large proportion of patients who have had a had a hernia repair in a range of locations; however, the prosthetic mesh has long-term complications, with rejection being observed in a subset of patients. The reason why the prosthetic is being rejected is still largely unknown, and therefore, further investigation needs to be carried out.

Skin considerations for older adults with wounds.

Ageing leads to a number of skin changes that not only place an older adult at risk of tissue damage, but can present as peri-wound problems for those with existing wounds, for example, incontinence-associated and moisture-associated dermatitis in individuals with pressure ulcers. Older adults with venous disease experience skin changes concomitant with venous hypertension, making the skin more at risk of breakdown, specifically the common complications of lipodermatosclerosis and venous eczema. In individuals with diabetic foot disease, skin changes related to autonomic neuropathy mean patients can experience dry skin that cracks easily, placing them at higher risk of infection. Common to all individuals with wounds requiring some sort of dressing is the risk of medical adhesive-related skin injury, where dressing application and removal need to be of the utmost priority to reduce the risk of injury. This article discusses some of the common peri-wound skin considerations in patients with chronic wounds.

A review of the effects of ageing on skin integrity and wound healing.

It is well known that advancing age is a factor that affects the normal course of wound healing. The population over the age of 65 years is increasing globally, and this may be accompanied by an increase in the number of individuals experiencing delayed wound healing. There is a breadth of research to show that age-related changes in the epidermis and dermis change the skin's ability to resist damage and injury. In particular, the dermoepidermal junction becomes flattened, which predisposes the tissue to shear and friction forces. Within the dermis, alterations in the amount and structure of collagen also mean that the tissue is much more rigid. Prompt assessment of the skin to identify existing conditions as well as preventive measures is therefore essential. This article discusses the anatomy of the skin and the effects of ageing on the tissues. It also offers some guidance on skin assessment and the basics of skin care.

Validity and reliability of semi-quantitative wound swabs.

Wound infection is a common factor that delays wound healing. The diagnosis of wound infection should be based on clinical observations of the presence of classic signs of infection. There is also a role for microbiological investigation, for example, using semi-quantitative wound swabs, to help guide systemic treatment. However, there is still a debate about the most accurate method for taking a wound swab. This review explores the research evidence underpinning the use of semi-quantitative wound swabs, focusing on the validity and reliability of this method of assessment.

Skin tears: prevention and management.

Skin tears commonly occur at the extremes of age and are associated with skin changes in ageing skin. They are considered to be acute wounds caused by mechanical forces, such as blunt trauma. While the true prevalence and incidence of skin tears is unknown, the available evidence suggests that these wounds occur in all healthcare settings. Importantly, skin tears are preventable with the implementation of a risk-reduction programme, which includes twice-daily skin moisturisation. Where these injuries do occur, it is important to categorise the extent of damage as well as to choose the most appropriate dressing to avoid adding any risks for further trauma.

A clinimetric analysis of the Pressure Ulcer Risk Primary or Secondary Evaluation Tool: PURPOSE-T.

The assessment of patients' risk for developing pressure ulcers is a routine and fundamental nursing process undertaken to prevent avoidable harm to patients in all care settings. Many risk assessment tools are currently used in clinical practice, however no individual tool is recommended by advisory bodies such as the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence or the European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel. The evidence base on the value of structured risk assessment tools in reducing the incidence or severity of pressure ulcers is poor. This purpose of this article is to provide a clinimetric analysis of the recently developed Pressure Ulcer Risk Primary or Secondary Evaluation Tool (PURPOSE-T) and identify areas for future research to improve the utility of structured risk assessment in identifying patients at risk of developing pressure ulcers.

An evidence-based review of split-thickness skin graft donor site dressings.

This evidence-based review aimed to identify and evaluate current existing evidence relating to the efficacy of dressing materials for spit-thickness skin graft donor site wounds in relation to promoting rapid healing and reducing patient pain. A comprehensive systematic search of the literature between 2006 and 2016 identified 35 publications that were included in the review. Based on the results of the review, it was found that moist wound-healing products have a clear advantage over non-moist products in the reduction of pain and increased healing rates. This review concluded that moist wound-healing products are more effective than non-moist wound-healing products in reducing pain and promoting healing in split-thickness skin graft donor site wounds. A recommendation based on this review is that further research examine the role of secondary dressing usage in donor site wound management, and the consideration of using more than one primary dressing product during the donor site wound-healing process should be undertaken.

The inter-rater reliability between nurse-assessors clinically assessing infection of chronic wounds using the WUWHS criteria.

The aim of this study was to determine the inter-rater reliability between one expert-nurse and four clinical-nurses who were asked to clinically assess infection of chronic wounds by using the World Union of Wound Healing Societies (WUWHS) criteria. A quasi-experimental design was used to collect the data. In comparison to phase 1 in which 'open questions' were asked, in phase 2 a pre-printed form (checklist) was introduced. In both phases, 55 chronic wounds were clinically assessed. For each WUWHS criterion the inter-rater reliability of signs and symptoms was expressed by Cohens Kappa (κ). A substantial agreement (κ ≥ 0·6) was considered as adequate. In both phases pocketing (p < 0·02), and erythema (p < 0·004) scored statistically significant results. Phase 2 showed higher inter-rater agreements compared with phase 1 (three substantial agreements (easily bleeding/friable granulation tissue, delayed healing, increasing exudate), an almost perfect- and a perfect agreement for malodour and pain, respectively. According to the results it can be concluded that the clinical assessment of infection of chronic wounds may be better supported by a pre-printed form than making use of an 'open questions' form. To provide this with a higher level of evidence, there is need for more well conducted studies.

Wound Curriculum for Nurses.

The European Wound Management Association (EWMA) has just finalised the first curriculum in a series of several curricula intended for use in levels 5-7 of the European Qualifications Framework (EQF)1. The aim of these is to support a common approach to post-registration qualification in wound management for nurses across Europe. EWMA hopes and will work towards a close collaboration with European nurse organisations as well as educational institutions to implement these common curricula.