Recursos materiales para el tratamiento de heridas / Resource materials for the treatment of wounds

Cuando se nos presenta, dentro de nuestro ámbito de actuación en salud, un paciente con una herida, dirigimos nuestras intervenciones a la detección, valoración, cuidado, seguimiento y evaluación de sus problemas de salud, con el fin de proporcionar los cuidados más pertinentes a dicho paciente. Esto hace necesario y obligatorio por parte del profesional de la salud un conocimiento exhaustivo de los recursos materiales y las distintas terapéuticas existentes en el mercado, de aplicación en heridas y úlceras. En el presente trabajo analizamos los diferentes tratamientos mediante cura húmeda, tratamientos biológicos y mediante terapéutica física, sus características e indicaciones, para que puedan proporcionar un entorno favorable en la cicatrización (AU)

When we are presented within our sphere of activity in health, a patient with a wound, our interventions to the detection, assessment, care, monitoring and evaluation of their health problems, in order to provide the most relevant care to these patients. This makes it necessary and obligatory on the part of the health staff an exhaustive knowledge of the material resources and the various existing therapeutic in the market for the treatment of wounds and ulcers. In the present study, we analyzed the different treatments using wet cure, biological treatments and therapeutic treatments using physical, their characteristics and specifications that can provide a favorable environment for healing (AU)

Holistic wound assessment in primary care.

Wound care is expensive and can cause immeasurable stress and inconvenience to patients and their significant others. It is therefore in the best interest of the patient, their significant others and the NHS as a whole that wounds are expertly assessed, managed and healed in the quickest timeframe possible. Nurses play a pivotal role in the process of accurate holistic wound assessment, evaluation and treatment. This article aims to help further develop and enhance both professional and clinical wound care assessment and evaluation skills. Pertinent wound care literature is critically reviewed and the crucial nature and important components of comprehensive wound assessment for facilitating the highest possible quality wound care to patients are presented alongside recommendations regarding how the enhanced knowledge and skills could be applied into everyday wound care practice.

Potencial antimicrobiano do óleo de coco no tratamento de feridas / Potential antimicrobial coconut oil in the treatment of wounds

Novos meios de controle da infecção em feridas surgem na saúde pública pelas implicações no cuidado, desenvolvimento de tecnologias e produtos relacionados aos curativos e controle dos microrganismos. A inovação tecnológica no tratamento de feridas pauta-se em plantas com propriedades antimicrobianas e cicatrizantes com relato etnobotânico. Estudo experimental in vitro desenvolvido no Laboratório de Pesquisa em Tratamento de Feridas, entre março e setembro de 2011 que investigou o potencial antimicrobiano do extrato oleoso do coco na perspectiva da prevenção da infecção e tratamento de feridas, utilizando 3 extratos do coco alagoano (dois artesanais e um industrializado) frente a 14 microrganismos para verificação da atividade antimicrobiana. Todos os extratos apresentaram atividade contra Staphylococcus aureus, contudo para o Staphylococcus epidermidis e Enterobacter cloacae apenas com os óleos artesanais. Necessita-se de ensaios para purificação dos extratos e identificação da substância inibidora dos microrganismos bem como a realização de estudos in vivo em feridas utilizando modelo animal.

Diario de un congresista Crónica del VIII Simposio Nacional sobre Úlceras por Presión y Heridas Crónicas celebrado en Santiago de Compostela / Diary of a congressman

Apreciaciones personales de un asistente al VIII Simposio Nacional de Úlceras por Presión y Heridas Crónicas, celebrado en Santiago de Compostela en noviembre de 2010. Revista ROL de Enfermería le pidió su colaboración por tratarse de uno de los asistentes más jóvenes, preparados, inquisitivos y dinámicos. A continuación se exponen sus reflexiones sobre el encuentro y sus comentarios sobre los contenidos desarrollados, la participación, los temas que precisarán seguimiento, etc(AU)

Personal assessment o fan assistant to the Eighth National Symposiuym on Pressure Ulcer and Chronic Wounds, held in Santiago de Compostela in November 2010. Show details asked for his cooperation because it is one of the youngest assistants, prepared, inquisitive and dynamic. Below are his reflections on the meeting and his comments on the contents set, participation, issues that will need monitoring, etc(AU)

The use of combination treatments and dressings for a traumatic wound.

With demographics, an ageing population and faster hospital discharges against us, district nurses are likely to be faced with more complicated wounds that require specialist attention. With national and local guidelines, the restriction of cost implications, patient compliance and 'best practice' to achieve, the nurse can find the task of choosing the correct course of treatment a daunting one. Nurses must not only consider the patient holistically, assess the wound and the predisposing factors that may be present, but also prescribe an effective treatment while being aware of what effects the treatment may have and be prepared to justify their actions when called to task. This article takes one case study detailing a traumatic wound and follows through the whole assessment and evaluation process to demonstrate how all of these demands were met. Dressings used in the case study are Promogran, Actisorb Silver 220 and Tielle Plus manufactured by Johnson & Johnson.

Treatment of an infected venous leg ulcer with honey dressings.

An infectious diseases unit is potentially an ideal environment in which to carry out research into honey-based dressings. This article looks at the barriers to carrying out case study-based research, and describes the treatment of an elderly gentleman with venous leg ulcers. The patient's wounds improved with the honey-based dressing, but it failed to free the wound of microbes. One possible explanation is that the honey, instead of killing the microbes, actually provided them with a food source.

The four S's of wound management: staples, sutures, Steri-Strips, and sticky stuff.

Wound management is a daily occurrence in many practices. A short summary of current research in wound management is documented. Wound assessment guidelines are discussed. Included are evaluation of the patient's tetanus status, wound complexity and age, decisions as to the use of antibiotics, and closure methods. Follow-up care, patient education, and special considerations are also discussed. Billing information is considered. The objective of this article is that reader be able to: 1. Identify several closure options for commonly seen wounds 2. Identify selection criteria for use of Steri-Strips, sutures, and surgical glue in closing wounds and lacerations 3. Identify criteria indicating the need for antibiotics and the most common causative microbial agents associated with wounds 4. Identify over-the-counter (OTC) surgical glues and their popular uses 5. Evaluate immunization status and recommend appropriate treatment for wound prophylaxis.

Nursing management of chronic wounds: best practices across the continuum of care.

This article highlights the nurse's role within a holistic, interdisciplinary approach to chronic wound management. Best practices for chronic wound care are discussed, drawing on evidence-based science when it is available. The fundamentals of chronic wound care, including cleansing, irrigation, débridement, infection control, and topical treatment are addressed. New devices and technologies are briefly reviewed. Implementing these best practices across the continuum of care will result in greater advances in the management of chronic wounds.