Técnica de momificación para casos de necrosis irreversible / Mummification technique for cases of irreversible necrosis

La necrosis es la muerte celular en un tejido vivo y ocurre cuando no hay suficiente aporte sanguíneo en una zona. Las causas más frecuentes cuando se detecta en las partes distales de las extremidades suelen ser la patología vascular y la diabetes mellitus. La primera puede derivar a una isquemia gangrenosa y la segunda puede conllevar complicaciones del piediabético que degeneren en úlceras necrosadas. Además hay que dar mucha importancia a los factores de riesgo como la hipertensión arterial, la dislipemia, la obesidad, deficiente control metabólico, tabaquismo y otros hábitos tóxicos. La momificación, también denominada auto-amputación,es la técnica que se utiliza en determinados casos de necrosis irreversible.Su objetivo es limitar la lesión, evitar la humedad y la infección a través de curas tópicas y secas con povidona yodada al 10%. La finalidad de las curas es poder llegar a la necrectomía y conseguir una alternativa a la cirugía vascular para aquellos pacientes en que una intervención quirúrgica aportaría más riesgos que beneficios. El procedimiento de momificaciónes de fácil ejecución, lo que fomenta el autocuidado y la vigilancia por parte del paciente o del cuidador principal, disminuyendo así las visitas ambulatorias y los desplazamientos. Los materiales empleados en estatécnica tienen un coste económico bajo, lo cual generalmente no afecta la situación económica familiar ni el gasto sanitario. Por estos motivos, los profesionales sanitarios deben enfatizar la formación y educación sanitaria,promocionando la prevención y los hábitos saludables (AU)

Necrosis is cell death in living tissue that occurs when there is insufficient blood flow to a certain area. The most frequent causes of necrosis found in the distal parts of the extremities are usually vascular pathology and Diabetes Mellitus. The first can lead to gangrenous ischemia and the second one to complications of the diabetic foot that degenerate to necrotic ulcers. Risk factors are also very important, such as highblood pressure, dyslipidemia, obesity, deficient metabolic control, smoking and other toxic habits. For this reason health care professionals must underscore health care training and education that promotes prevention and healthy habits.Mummification, also called self-amputation, is the technique used incertain cases of irreversible necrosis. Its objective is to limit the lesion,avoid humidity and infection by means of topical and dry wound care with10% povidone iodine. The objective of wound care is to reach necrectomy and achieve an alternative to vascular surgery for patients in whoma surgical intervention would entail more risks than benefits. The mummification procedure is easily carried out, promoting self-care and monitoring on the part of the patient or primary caregiver, hence decreasing outpatient visits and trips. The materials used in this technique have a low economic cost, which generally does not affect the family’seconomic situation or health care expenditure (AU)

[Burns, new challenges to take on]. / Quemaduras. Nuevos retos que plantearse.

This article concerns a transversal descriptive study which shows the characteristics of burns treated in a Primary Health Care Center in an urban environment in Barcelona from 19 July 2005 unti 11 August 2007 (N=93). Patients younger than 15 were excluded from this study. 88% (82; CI of 95% 81,47-94,59) of the burns treated were caused by a thermal agent. Kitchen cooking oil ranks first as the cause of burns (24; 27%, CI of 95% 17,99-36,01). 70% of the burns studied had signs of superficial skin damage (65, CI of 95% 60,70-79,30). 61% (57; CI of 95% 51,70-70,30) of these burns were located on upper extremities The average recorded body surface burned was 0.0076% (median = 0,005%, range = 0,0001-0,5000%). The greatest number of wounds were observed among men aged 31 to 45 (17%; 16; CI of 95% 9,38-24,62). Educational health programs which focus on prevention of, and first aid care for, burns are needed. Studies like this one may prove useful when starting preventive or educational strategies.

Actuación enfermera ante las picadurasde medusa / Nursing intervention for jellyfish stings

Las medusas son animales marinos invertebrados, de poca movilidadque son transportados por las corrientes marinas. Su composición es deun 95% de agua y por tanto, se camuflan fácilmente. El contacto conlos tentáculos es urticante. El cambio climático que está experimentandoel planeta en los últimos años ha supuesto un aumento de la temperaturadel agua del mar que ha provocado a su vez un aumento notablede la población de medusas en verano.Existen variedad de tratamientos populares para la picadura de medusa,como por ejemplo, aplicar vinagre, alcohol yodado o povidona yodada,alcohol, amoníaco, pomada de hidrocortisona o cremas antiinflamatorias.Nuestra experiencia de varios años, así como el contenido de publicacionesconsultadas, sugiere que el uso de povidona yodada al 10% es eficazcomo antiséptico en el tratamiento de las lesiones producidas porlas picaduras de medusa.El objetivo de este trabajo es dar a conocer la intervención enfermera quellevamos a cabo en nuestro centro ante la picadura de medusa y proponerel uso de povidona yodada al 10%, como antiséptico de elección (AU)

Jellyfish are invertebrate marine animals with little mobility that aretransported by ocean currents. Their composition is 95% water andthus they are easily camouflaged. Skin contact with their tentacles causesskin itching (urticary). The climate change that has been taking placeon the planet for the past few years has led to an increase in sea temperature,which in turn has triggered considerable growth of jellyfishpopulations during the summer season.There are many popular treatment options for jellyfish stings, such as applyingvinegar, alcohol-iodine or povidone-iodine, alcohol, ammonia, hydrocortisonepomade or anti-inflammatory creams.Our several years of experience, as well as the content of consulted publications,suggests the use of 10% povidone-iodine as an effective antisepticoption in the treatment of lesions caused by jellyfish stings.This work aims to describe the nursing intervention that is carried outin our centre when we are faced with jellyfish stings and to propose theuse of 10% povidone-iodine as the antiseptic solution of choice (AU)

Quemaduras. Nuevos retos que plantearse / Burns, new challenges to take on

Estudio descriptivo transversal que muestra las características de las quemaduras atendidas en un Centro de Atención Primaria (CAP) de ámbito urbano en Barcelona durante el periodo comprendido desde 19/7/2005 hasta 11/8/2007 (N=93). Los pacientes menores de 15 años fueron excluidos. El 88% (82; IC del 95% 81,41-94,59) de las quemaduras se debió a un agente térmico. El aceite de cocina es el primer elemento causal (24; 27%; IC del 95% 17,99-36,01). El 70% de las heridas señaló dérmicas superficiales (65; IC del 95% 60,70-79,30). El 61% (57; IC del 95% 51,70-70,30) se localizó en EESS (extremidades superiores). La superficie corporal quemada media registrada indicó 0,0076% (mediana=0,005%; rango=0,0001-0,5000%). El mayor número de heridas se observó en los varones de 31 a 45 años (17%; 16; IC del 95% 9,38-24,62). Se precisan programas de educación para la salud centrados en la prevención y actuación ante una quemadura. Estudios como éste pueden resultar útiles a la hora de iniciar estrategias preventivas o educativas (AU)

This article concerns a transversal descriptive study which shows the characteristics of burns treated in a Primary Health Care Center in an urban environment in Barcelona from 19 July 2005 until 11 August 2007 (N=93). Patients younger than 15 were excluded from this study. 88% (82; IC of 95% 81,41-94,59) of the burns treated were caused by a thermal agent. Kitchen cooking oil ranks first as the cause of burns (24; 27%; IC of 95% 17,99-36,01). 70% of the burns studied had signs of superficial skin damage (65; IC of 95% 60,70-79,30). 61% (57; IC of 95% 51,70-70,30) of these burns were located on upper extremities. The average recorded body surface burned was 0.0076% (median=0,005%; range=0,0001-0,5000%). The greatest number of wounds were observed among men aged 31 to 45 (17%; 16; IC of 95% 9,38-24,62). Educational health programs which focus on prevention of, and first aid care for, burns are needed. Studies like this one may prove useful when starting preventive or educational strategies (AU)

Betadine® como antiséptico para el recambio de sonda suprapúbica en atención primaria de salud / Betadine® as an antiseptic during replacement of suprapubic catheter in primary health care

En ocasiones la capacidad de un paciente para almacenar orina ha fracasado. Ante esta circunstancia, y teniendo en cuenta las responsabilidades de la enfermera de Atención Primaria, se justifica la elaboración de un protocolo, sobre todo teniendo en cuenta que apenas existe bibliografía española al respecto. Dicho protocolo será revisado en agosto del 2013. Trabajo ganador del 3er Premio Betadine® de Enfermería 2008(AU)

At times, a patient’s capacity to store urine fails. When dealing with this circumstance, and bearing in mind Primary Health Care Center nurses’ responsibilities, the elaboration of a protocol becomes justified, especially in light of the fact that virtually no Spanish bibliography on this topic exists. The aforementioned protocol will be revised in August 2013. This project won the Third Betadine® Nursing Prize in 2008(AU)

[Betadine as an antiseptic during replacement of suprapubic catheter in primary health care]. / Betadine como antiséptico para el recambio de sonda suprapública u,ia en Atención Primaria de Salud.

At times, a patient's capacity to store urine fails. When dealing with this circumstance, and bearing in mind Primary Health Care Center nurses' responsibilities, the elaboration of a protocol becomes justified, especially in light of the fact that virtually no Spanish bibliography on this topic exists. The aforementioned protocol will be revised in August 2013. This project won the Third Betadine Nursing Prize in 2008.