Protocolo de uso de los sistemas de velcros yuxtapuestos para el abordaje de úlceras venosas de piernas en el Servicio Andaluz de Salud / Protocol for the use of juxtaposed velcro systems to address venous leg ulcers in the Andalusian Health Service

Objetivos: El objetivo principal de este estudio es elaborar un protocolo de indicación de los sistemas de velcros yuxtapuestos para el abordaje de la úlcera venosa de pierna en el Servicio Andaluz de Salud. Para su consecución se llevó a cabo un análisis de coste-efectividad de los diferentes sistemas de vendas existentes como productos sanitarios para el tratamiento de úlceras de etiología venosa, donde se evaluó los sistemas de velcros yuxtapuestos para su incorporación e inclusión en la plataforma logística del sistema sanitario público andaluz. Para su consecución, se llevó a cabo un análisis de la evidencia disponibles sobre los del sistema de velcros yuxtapuestos en pacientes con úlceras venosas de piernas. Y finalmente se desarrollaron los criterios de autorización en el uso de los sistemas de velcros yuxtapuestos por parte de los profesionales sanitarios del sistema sanitario público andaluz. Resultados: El sistema de vendas de velcros yuxtapuestos está avalado por la evidencia científica para su empleo en úlceras venosas en miembro inferior, así como para el tratamiento para la prevención de las recidivas. Asimismo, en este artículo se compara el sistema de vendas de velcros yuxtapuestos con otros sistemas de vendas instaurados, y muestra ser un producto sanitario coste-efectivo. Discusión: El sistema de vendaje de velcros yuxtapuestos proporciona una autonomía y una mejora de la calidad de vida a los pacientes con dificultades para usar una media o que no tengan posibilidad de que un profesional sanitario realice los cambios de vendaje. Es un sistema coste-efectivo para el tratamiento de las úlceras venosas de pierna.(AU)

Objectives: The main objective of this study is to develop a protocol for the indication of juxtaposed velcro systems for the approach to UVP in the Andalusian Health Service. To achieve this, a cost-effectiveness analysis of the different bandage systems existing as sanitary products for the treatment of ulcers of venous etiology was carried out, where the juxtaposed velcro systems were evaluated for their incorporation and inclusion in the logistics platform of the Andalusian public health system (SSPA). To achieve this, an analysis of the available evidence on the juxtaposed velcro system in patients with UVP was carried out. And finally, the authorization criteria for the use of juxtaposed velcro systems by health professionals of the SSPA were developed. Results: The juxtaposed velcro bandage system is supported by scientific evidence for its use in venous ulcers in the lower limb, as well as for treatment to prevent recurrences. Likewise, in this article it is compared with other established bandage systems, showing it to be a cost-effective health product. Discussion: The juxtaposed velcro bandage system provides autonomy and an improvement in the quality of life for those patients with difficulties in wearing a stocking or who do not have the possibility of a healthcare professional making bandage changes. Being a cost-effective system for the treatment of venous leg ulcers.(AU)

Telenfermagem a Pacientes com Úlceras Venosas: Orientações Fornecidas e Desfecho do Monitoramento Remoto / Telenursing to Patients With Venous Ulcers: Guidelines Provided and Outcome of Remote Monitoring / Teleenfermería a Pacientes con Úlceras Venosas: Directrices Proporcionadas y Resultado de la Monitorización Remota

Objetivos:identificar as orientações fornecidas aos pacientes com úlceras venosas (UVs) submetidos à telenfermagem e descrever o desfecho ocorrido com os pacientes com UVs monitorados à distância. Método: estudo transversal e documental, realizado com 159 prontuários de pacientes com UV submetidos à telenfermagem numa clínica de estomaterapia no Rio de Janeiro. Os critérios de inclusão foram pacientes com diagnóstico de UV submetidos à telenfermagem, de abril de 2018 a fevereiro de 2020. A análise de dados ocorreu por meio de estatística descritiva (frequência absoluta e relativa para as variáveis categóricas), auxiliada por planilha do aplicativo Microsoft Excel. Resultados: identificou-se um equilíbrio entre os participantes em relação ao sexo; apresentaram idade média (desvio-padrão) de 68,07 (5,28); ensino fundamental completo ou médio incompleto; aposentados ou pensionistas. Verificou-se que 40,88% dos pacientes possuíam ao menos uma doença de base, predominando hipertensão arterial sistêmica e diabetes mellitus. As orientações mais prevalentes foram: repouso com os membros inferiores elevados, utilização da terapia compressiva com meia elástica ou atadura elástica e realização da troca de curativo secundário em sua residência. Conclusão: os achados evidenciam a necessidade de ampliar as ações de enfermagem desenvolvidas na Clínica, buscando proporcionar a saúde integral aos pacientes.

Objectives:To identify the guidelines provided to patients with venous ulcers submitted to telenursing and describe the outcome that occurred with patients with venous ulcers monitored remotely. Method: Cross-sectional and documentary study, carried out with 159 medical records of patients with venous ulcers submitted to telenursing at an enterostomal therapy clinic in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The inclusion criteria were patients with a diagnosis of venous ulcer submitted to Telenursing, from April 2018 to February 2020. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics (absolute and relative frequency for categorical variables), aided by the application spreadsheet Microsoft Excel. Results: A balance was identified between the participants in relation to gender; had a mean age (standard deviation) of 68.07 (5.28); completed elementary school or incomplete high school; retirees or pensioners. It was found that 40.88% of the patients had at least one underlying disease, predominantly systemic arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus. The most prevalent guidelines were: resting with the lower limbs elevated, using compressive therapy with elastic stockings or elastic bandage, and changing the secondary dressing at home. Conclusion: The findings show the need to expand the nursing actions developed at the clinic, seeking to provide comprehensive health to patients.

Objetivos:identificar las orientaciones proporcionadas a los pacientes con úlceras venosas sometidos a Teleenfermería y describir el desenlace ocurrido con los pacientes con úlceras venosas monitorizados a distancia. Método: estudio transversal y documental, realizado con 159 prontuarios de pacientes con úlceras venosas sometidos a teleenfermería en una Clínica de Estomaterapia de Rio de Janeiro. Los criterios de inclusión fueron pacientes con diagnóstico de úlcera venosa sometidos a teleenfermería, de abril de 2018 a febrero de 2020. El análisis de datos se realizó mediante estadística descriptiva (frecuencia absoluta y relativa para variables categóricas), auxiliada por la hoja de cálculo de la aplicación Microsoft Excel. Resultados: se identificó un equilibrio entre los participantes en relación al género; tenía una edad media (DE) de 68,07 (5,28); primaria completa o secundaria incompleta; jubilados o pensionados. Se encontró que el 40,88% de los pacientes tenían al menos una enfermedad de base, predominantemente Hipertensión Arterial Sistémica y Diabetes Mellitus. Las pautas más prevalentes fueron: reposo con los miembros inferiores elevados, uso de terapia compresiva con medias elásticas o venda elástica y cambio del vendaje secundario en casa. Conclusión: los hallazgos muestran la necesidad de ampliar las acciones de enfermería desarrolladas en la Clínica, buscando brindar salud integral a los pacientes

Abordaje interdisciplinario de una persona con una úlcera venosa: Reporte de un caso clínico / Interdisciplinary approach of a person with a venous ulcer: Report of a clinical case

Las úlceras venosas son lesiones de piel de alta recurrencia localizadas en los miembros inferiores relacionadas con patologías venosas y con escasa tendencia a la cicatrización espontánea y alta probabilidad de reincidencia. Con el objetivo de visualizar la importancia que tiene para la persona usuaria el abordaje integral derivado del trabajo interdisciplinario de enfermería y terapia física en el manejo de lesiones venosas, se presenta el caso de una paciente de 85 años la cual fue abordada de manera interdisciplinaria en 4 sesiones durante cinco semanas, donde se realizó curación de la lesión y aplicación de terapia compresiva en conjunto con drenaje linfático manual, compresión neumática intermitente y prescripción de plan de ejercicios domiciliares. Adicionalmente, se realizaron sesiones de ejercicios presenciales 2 veces a la semana durante las mismas 5 semanas supervisadas por el profesional de terapia física, que favoreció la resolución de la lesión, mejorando así la calidad de vida de la usuaria.

Venous ulcers are highly recurrent skin lesions located in the lower limbs related to venous pathologies and with little tendency to spontaneous healing and high probability of recurrence. In order to visualize the importance for the user of the comprehensive approach derived from the interdisciplinary work of nursing and physical therapy in the management of venous leg ulcers, the case of an 85-year-old patient is presented who was approached by an interdisciplinary team of physical therapy and nursing in 4 sessions during five weeks, where the venous ulcer was healed and compression therapy was applied in conjunction with manual lymphatic drainage, compression intermittent pneumatics and prescription of home exercise plan. Additionally, face-to-face exercise sessions were carried out 2 times a week during the same 5 weeks, supervised by the physical therapy professional, which favored the resolution of the venous ulcer, thus improving the quality of life of the user. The interdisciplinary approach is highlighted as a central aspect in the evolution of the case.

Radiofrecuencia en la cicatrización de heridas crónicas. Una revisión en hospital de media estancia / Radiofrequency in the healing process in chronic wounds. A review in a half-stay hospital

Las heridas crónicas son un problema de salud significativo. Parece que la estimulación eléctrica produce una reducción significativamente mayor en el área de superficie y cicatrización más completa de las úlceras de difícil cicatrización y de evolución tórpida en comparación con la terapia habitual, sin vendaje compresivo. OBJETIVOS: Evaluar el efecto que la radiofrecuencia a baja intensidad y con efectos no térmicos tiene sobre los diferentes componentes del mecanismo del proceso de cicatrización. METODOLOGÍA: Para el tratamiento, se utilizó un dispositivo de tecarterapia (CAPENERGY C200). Se aplicaron un total de 10 sesiones de radiofrecuencia con una periodicidad de 1 vez a la semana con una potencia del 60% y una frecuencia de 1,2 MHz durante 30 minutos. RESULTADOS: La presencia de edema, observada en todos los pacientes en la región de la extremidad inferior, desapareció en 30 de los 36 pacientes (Wilcoxon p = 0,004). Este resultado fue confirmado por ultrasonido. El edema celular subcutáneo medio disminuyó en 1,73 cm (Friedman p = 0,000). La temperatura del área tomada antes y después del tratamiento se incrementó en un promedio de 1,4 °C. Estas diferencias son estadísticamente significativas (Wilcoxon p = 0,000). CONCLUSIONES: La radiofrecuencia parece que puede reducir el largo proceso de cicatrización de las lesiones de evolución tórpida, y nos encontramos con unas diferencias significativas a lo largo del tratamiento y con una reducción progresiva en las mediciones de las lesiones y mayor rapidez en la cicatrización de las heridas complejas

Chronic wounds are a significant health problem. Electrical stimulation seems to produce a significantly greater reduction in surface area and more complete healing of difficult-to-heal and poorly healing ulcers compared to standard therapy without compressive bandaging. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect that radiofrequency at low intensity and with non-thermal effects has on the different components of the mechanism of the healing process. METHODOLOGY: A tecartherapy device (CAPENERGY C200) was used for the treatment. A total of 10 radiofrequency sessions were applied once a week with a power of 60% and a frequency of 1.2 MHz for 30 minutes. RESULTS: The presence of oedema, observed in all patients in the lower extremity region, disappeared in 30 of the 36 patients (Wilcoxon p = 0.004). This result was confirmed by ultrasound. The mean subcutaneous cellular oedema decreased by 1.73 cm (Friedman p = 0.000). The temperature of the area taken before and after treatment increased by an average of °C. These differences are statistically significant (Wilcoxon p = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: Radiofrequency appears to be able to reduce the long healing process of torpidly evolving lesions, and we found significant differences throughout the treatment and a progressive reduction in lesion measurements and faster healing of complex wounds

An audience survey of practice relating to pain in the management of chronic venous leg ulcers.

Venous leg ulcers (VLU) respond well to compression, yet many ulcers remain unhealed after 1 year. Practitioners could be reluctant to apply compression to patients with significant ulcer pain. This study aimed to capture the views of practitioners on compression therapy for patients with painful VLU. A survey was conducted at a UK meeting in 2019 using handheld voting pads to capture the anonymous responses to four questions to which a mean of 90 practitioners responded. Nearly 40% of practitioners treat six or more patients a day with painful lower-limb ulcers. Some 80% felt confident in managing patients with painful ulcers; yet, most practitioners suggested they would refer onward for pain management. Some 40% would omit or reduce compression therapy as a pain management strategy. This survey supports the need for technological solutions that reduce VLU pain so that patients receive effective compression therapy.

Nurse-led patient education for persons suffering from a venous leg ulcer in outpatient's clinics and homecare settings: A scoping review.

AIM OF THIS STUDY: To provide an overview of the available nurse-led individualized educational interventions, for persons with Venous Leg Ulcer (VLUs) in an outpatient or homecare settings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For this scoping review, a search was performed between December 2019 and January 2020. To identify sources of evidence a systematic search was conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, PsychINFO, Web of Science and LiSSa as well as in clinical trial registers to identify sources of evidence. All types of evidence associated with a nurse led-intervention were included. RESULTS: Fifteen sources of evidence met the inclusion criteria. Educational sessions varied in modality, content and duration. Education sessions were face to face and supported by written materiel. The content focused on compression therapy and exercises. The duration and numbers of sessions varied. The most reported health related outcomes was wound healing. CONCLUSION: This scoping review provides a broad overview of the available evidence and ongoing research for individualized nurse-led education persons with VLUs. Variability in the literature was found, which suggests that more intervention studies are needed to test and evaluate efficacy of nurse-led patient education.

Why nurses in primary care need to be research active: the case of venous leg ulceration.

Venous leg ulceration (VLU) is predominantly managed in primary care by district nurses, however much of the research takes place in secondary care. This study aimed to identify to what extent nurses are involved in publishing VLU research and to ascertain how much VLU research is conducted in primary care. Three searches of literature published between 2015 and 2020 were undertaken, reviewing VLU publications on interventions, quality of life and qualitative research. Some 37% of intervention studies had one or more nurse authors, compared with 65% of quality of life studies and 86% of qualitative research publications. Of papers that providing details of recruitment, 39% of intervention and quality of life studies included primary care as a recruitment setting. Qualitative studies were more likely to recruit from primary as well as secondary care (50%). Nurses are involved in leading VLU research but are more likely to publish quality of life and qualitative research than intervention studies. The majority of nurse authors in this field are based in academic institutions. A minority of studies utilise primary care as a recruitment setting for VLU research. More must be done to enable VLU research in community settings and to promote the involvement of clinical nurses in research.

Úlceras arteriales y venosas. La física de la dinámica de fluidos vasculares como base de la prevención primaria enfermera / Arterial and venous ulcers. The physics of fluid dynamics as a basis for primary nursing prevention

Las úlceras vasculares son lesiones que se producen en las extremidades inferiores provocadas o agravadas por algún problema en el flujo sanguíneo distal, ya sea por el aporte, en el caso de las arteriales, o por el retorno, en el caso de las venosas. El conocimiento del proceso fisiopatológico en la aparición de las mismas ayuda a entender su etiología y proceso de evolución. Además, la comprensión de los mecanismos fisiológicos que las provocan permite escoger entre las diferentes técnicas a llevar a cabo, tanto preventivas como curativas, para establecer las medidas oportunas a poner en marcha. Se consiguen así intervenciones más efectivas dirigidas a la etiología del problema, que evitan que aparezca o se agrave, o, en caso contrario, favorecen una pronta cicatrización y, por lo tanto, una mayor calidad de vida de los pacientes. Enfermería debe conocer el proceso fisiopatológico de dichas lesiones, ya que tiene por objeto fomentar medidas de prevención, así como realizar las curas de manera efectiva, reduciendo las recidivas

Vascular ulcers are wounds in the lower limbs caused or aggravated by a problem in the distal blood flow, either by the supply in the case of arterial ulcers and return in the case of venous ulcers. The knowledge of the physiopathological process behind its etiology helps to understand the cause and evolution of vascular ulcers. In addition, the understanding of the physiological mechanisms that cause them allows to choose the most effective preventive measure or the most appropriate healing treatment. Thus, more effective interventions aimed at the etiology of the problem are achieved. These measures prevent the ulcers from appearing or getting worse, or in the case of presenting them, they promote an early healing, and therefore, a higher quality of life for the patients. The nurses must know the pathophysiological process of such wounds, since it is in charge of promoting preventive measures, as well as performing the cures effectively, reducing recurrences

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.

Updated leg ulcer pathway: improving healing times and reducing costs.

Regardless of the amount of literature and evidence on leg ulcer management, there are still significant variations in treatment. Implementing a standardised leg ulcer pathway to ensure patients are appropriately and timely assessed could help reduce nursing time and overall costs, while improving healing outcomes and patients' quality of life. Such a pathway was introduced in Lincolnshire and Leicestershire, UK, to treat venous leg ulcers (VLUs). The results showed improved healing times, reduced costs and fewer nurse visits, among other findings.

ReadyWrap®: case studies in practice.

The cost that chronic wound care imposes on both patients and health services worldwide is well recognised. Most patients with venous leg ulcers require compression therapy over the long term, for both treatment as well as to prevent recurrence of these wounds. Caring for patients with chronic wounds makes up a large part of the workload for district and community nurses, and encouraging self-management among patients is a worthwhile effort to limit the costs and resources directed for this purpose. The present article describes the practical use of the ReadyWrap range of compression garments, which are available in various different styles, and aid patients, their families and carers in the self-management of venous leg ulcers. These products are designed with their long-term use in mind, and, as described in the case studies in this article, patients show good concordance to compression therapy involving ReadyWrap.

Interface pressures with compression systems: relevance to clinical practice.

Interface pressures with compression depend on many factors relating to the science of measurement and intrinsic, patient-related factors, including limb size and tissue texture. While it is important for manufacturers of compression devices to measure pressures, it may not always be relevant to clinical practice where application methods and oedematous limbs may affect final pressures. Accurate performance of any compression system relies on the use of the right technology for the right condition and patient lifestyle. Correct application following training and in accordance with instructions for use may be adapted according to individual patient comfort and needs, including mobility, tissue texture and the stage of management. In order to provide treatment regimens that are safe, effective and well tolerated by patients, as well as being easy to apply and demonstrate sound economic practice, science needs to meet clinical practice. Patient reporting is an important for successful treatment, matching clinical effectiveness with patient acceptance during reassessment and monitoring.

Embedding National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance into a leg ulcer pathway.

Research has shown that leg ulcers represent the largest category of wound type treated within the UK. Venous leg ulcers are often classified as chronic wounds with increased protease levels causing the wound to become suspended in the inflammatory stage, which leads to delayed healing. If treatment choices are not evidence-based and appropriate regimens are not instigated early on in the wound care journey, the cost to both the patient and the healthcare service is substantial. Recent guidance from the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends UrgoStart (Urgo Medical) for treating venous leg ulcers as an adjunct therapy to the gold standard of compression therapy. Correct treatment choices must be made by clinicians using up-to-date relevant wound care knowledge. Evidence-based treatment algorithms and pathways can assist with correct product and therapy placement, assisting decision-making to improve patient outcomes. The present article describes a patient-centred leg ulcer pathway that embeds NICE guidance.

Managing chronic, nonhealing wounds stalled in the inflammatory phase: a case series using a novel matrix therapy, CACIPLIQ20.

One of the biggest challenges faced by healthcare providers is the treatment of chronic, non-healing wounds. This paper reports for the first time in the UK the results of five case studies in which a novel regenerating matrix-based therapy, CACIPLIQ20, was used. CACIPLIQ20 is a heparan sulphate mimetic designed to replace the destroyed heparan sulphate in the extracellular matrix of wound cells. All five patients in this case series had chronic, non-healing ulcers that had not improved with conventional care. Treatment included two applications of CACIPLIQ20 per week, for a maximum of 12 weeks. Three of the five wounds healed completely, and the remaining two showed significant improvements in size and quality. The treatment was well tolerated by the patients and also led to a significant reduction in pain. Moreover, CACIPLIQ20 treatment was found to be highly cost-effective when compared to conventional care, with the potential to save healthcare systems significant resources. Further studies are needed to build a strong evidence base on the use of this product, but these preliminary findings are certainly promising.

[Evaluation of compression bandage application technique in patients with venous leg ulcers: A mixed methods observational study]. / Évaluation des techniques de pose des bandes de compression médicale chez les patients porteurs d'ulcères veineux : une étude observationnelle mixte.

Introduction: Treating venous leg ulcers involves replacing dressings and applying compression bandages (CB). The technique for applying these bandages set out in the best practice guidelines shows nurses how to achieve the required level of pressure. Considerable differences have been observed between these guidelines and the actual application of CB. Methodology: An observational study combining a quantitative and a qualitative component was conducted to analyze CB application and explore the elements taken into account by nurses when they perform this procedure. Results: For the 261 patients included in the study, 27% of CB were applied as described in the guidelines. The main difference was that the heel was not included in the bandage in 48% of patients. The freelance nurses interviewed reported taking patient views into account in order to encourage adherence. Discussion: The nursing knowledge identified from the nurse interviews was compared to Carper's "Patterns of Knowing" classification. It would seem that Carper's empirical knowledge is not the only "pattern of knowing" taken into consideration. Patient involvement in the choice of CB application technique, which could be likened to Carper's "esthetic knowledge," helps guide nursing practice.

Randomised controlled trials as part of clinical care: A seven-step routinisation framework proposal.

Evidence translation in wound care relies on the need for evidence generation. Clinical practice may generate evidence only if evidence-generating research projects, such as randomised controlled trials (RCTs), became routinised in clinical settings. The aim of this study was to identify optimal trial-related practices to routinise trial-related activities in Melbourne-located wound clinics as reported by clinicians and researchers. We conducted a secondary analysis of the available data on how to routinise RCTs in clinical care, with a focus on enablers and suggestions provided by the participants during face-to-face and telephone interviews. Data were obtained from a qualitative observational study nested within a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial on clinical effectiveness of aspirin as an adjunct to compression therapy in healing chronic venous leg ulcers (ASPiVLU). We developed a seven-step Routinisation of Trials in Clinical Care Framework. These steps include: (1) pre-trial clinical site assessment, (2) optimising pre-recruitment arrangements, (3) developing and updating trial-related skills, (4) embedding RCT recruitment as part of routine clinical care, (5) promoting teamwork and trial-related collaboration, (6) addressing trial-related financial issues, and (7) communicating trial results to clinicians.

Úlcera de perna: um estudo sobre registro de diagnóstico e intervenção de enfermagem em prontuário / Leg ulcer: a study on diagnosis diagnosis and nursing intervention in medical records

A enfermagem vem buscando estabelecer sua sistematização do cuidado a partir de um conhecimento científico próprio, diferente do saber biomédico que se propõe a assistir e restabelecer o cliente à sua condição de saúde. Esta pesquisa tem como objetivo destacar os diagnósticos de enfermagem das intervenções realizadas nos cuidados com as úlceras de perna em prontuários existentes no ambulatório de cirurgia do Hospital Universitário Gaffrée e Guinle (HUGG) e propor a instituição, nas consultas de enfermagem, de um processo de cuidar de úlceras de perna através de um Guia de Orientações em forma de aplicativo móvel que oriente as intervenções e diagnósticos de enfermagem. Trata-se de um estudo retrospectivo desenvolvido em um Hospital Universitário no Rio de Janeiro. Foram analisados 39 prontuários de clientes atendidos no Ambulatório de Cirurgia Vascular que apresentavam úlceras de perna. Para a avaliação, buscamos registros relacionados às dimensões do corpo e vida dos clientes; os propósitos da enfermagem que cuida de úlceras venosas e diagnósticos de enfermagem. Como resultados, encontramos: maior prevalência de úlceras em mulher (61,5%) e na faixa etária acima de 50 anos; não houve diferenças entre a cor branca (38,5%) e preta (35.9%); como em outros estudos, a hipertensão arterial sistêmica (HAS) teve maior frequência (53,8%), seguida de Diabetes Mellitus (DM) (25,6%) e cardiopatia (15,4%); quanto ao etilismo e tabagismo, 87,2% bebem e 64,1% não fumam; a incidência de úlcera venosa foi de 82,2%; quanto ao local onde moram, 46,2% residem no estado do Rio de Janeiro e apenas 5,1% residem na Área Programática do Hospital; 17,1% dos clientes apresentavam lesões nos dois membros, com prevalência de 43,6% no membro inferior direito (MID); quanto ao tempo de evolução, 28,5% apresentavam lesão entre 5 e 10 anos e 30,8% inferior a 1 ano; quanto às características das lesões, encontramos: esfacelo (69,2%), maceração (46,2%), granulação (41,0%) e necrose de coagulação (15,4%); em relação à pele ao redor, observamos: dermatite (25%), erisipela (2,6%) e linfedema (17,9%). Quanto à terapia tópica foram registrados: Papaína (33,3 %), Iruxol® (23,1%) e Hidrogel (7,7%,); 64,1% receberam cuidados para desbridamento enzimático e autolíticos e 79,5% tiveram indicação de sistema de compressão. Na segunda análise, trazemos registros que encontramos sobre diagnósticos de enfermagem baseados em Wanda Horta. Na análise de conteúdo desses registros, encontramos um total de 320 encontros (consultas) com média de 1 a 20 consultas, resultando na leitura de 507 palavras (códigos) em que encontramos 236 cuidados captados por palavras; 114 registros relacionados ao Diagnóstico de Wanda Horta e 157 ausências de registros sobre cuidado. Detectamos 100% dos registros nas dimensões Fisicobiológicas, 61,5% em Detectar sinais e sintomas e 92,3% em Implementar cuidados e prescrições, o que denota um padrão biomédico e encontramos 87,2% de ausência de registros na dimensão Psicobiológica. Através da análise do teste exato de Fisher, buscando associações entre as variáveis do Objetivo do cuidado, Dimensões e Diagnóstico, apenas em 7 situações encontramos p<0,05: dependência de ajuda, orientação; e encaminhamento relaciona-se a Prevenir doença, Restabelecer, Reabilitar e Promover saúde. Através da análise dos dados, identificamos a necessidade de criar tecnologias que orientem o profissional nos registros dos cuidados e na orientação do cuidado. Como produto final foi criado um aplicativo-protótipo com informações para uma prática sistematizada para o cuidado de pacientes com úlcera venosa. Conclusões: os dados confirmam o que está dito sobre os registros de enfermagem, no entanto os elementos dos diagnósticos que estão nos registros se mostram de modo velado

Can early detection prevent venous leg ulceration?

Venous leg ulceration is the most common form of leg ulceration, affecting 1.5% of the UK adult population. This was reviewed within the latest best practice statement (2016) which set out to create clear guidance on the assessment, management and preventing the reoccurrence of venous leg ulceration. With a growing elderly population at risk of venous insufficiency, early identification of those at risk is vital in the fight to reduce the number of people suffering with chronic venous ulceration. This article looks at the need for early assessment and commencement of appropriate treatment in order to reduce the occurrence of venous ulceration and improve clinical processes across the UK.