Wound dressings. A comparison of classes and their principles of use

1994 ◽  
Vol 84 (9) ◽  
pp. 463-469 ◽  
Author(s):  
CS Choate

Selection of an appropriate wound dressing, to potentiate healing, demands knowledge about varying classes of dressings. With the growing number of wound dressings available, health care providers must understand both the principles of dressing development as well as the qualities of each individual product. The author compares five classes of wound dressings: hydrocolloids, hydrogels, films, foams, and sodium/calcium alginates. Also, principles of dressing selection and long-term wound management guidelines are presented.

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (8) ◽  
pp. 510-513
Author(s):  
Vanessa Moreno ◽  
Charlie L. Nguyen ◽  
Amie Taggart Blaszczyk

National agencies have championed stewardship initiatives to enhance antimicrobial and opioid use in long-term care facilities. Health care providers for these residents have been given the task to ensure "the right drug is used for the right indication at the right time and duration." One potential challenge to this is incorrect or incomplete documentation of allergies. Many long-term care facilities have traditionally, and currently, used a "list format" of allergies in, or on, the resident's chart. This approach is incomplete as it rarely provides detailed information about the reaction to a particular drug. Senior care pharmacists and their students can play a role within long-term care facilities by helping ensure the optimal selection of drugs by providing a detailed allergy assessment that documents detailed reaction information, whenever possible.


Hematology ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 2005 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick G. Gallagher

Abstract Disorders of the erythrocyte membrane, including hereditary spherocytosis, hereditary elliptocytosis, hereditary pyropoikilocytosis, and hereditary stomatocytosis, comprise an important group of inherited hemolytic anemias. These syndromes are characterized by marked clinical and laboratory heterogeneity. Recent molecular studies have revealed that there is also significant genetic heterogeneity in these disorders. This is particularly true for the spherocytosis syndromes where each kindred has a private mutation in one of the spherocytosis genes. Treatment with splenectomy is curative in most patients. Splenectomy via a laparoscopic approach has become the surgical method of choice. Growing recognition and understanding of the long-term risks and complications of splenectomy, including cardiovascular disease, thrombotic disorders, and pulmonary hypertension, and the emergence of penicillin-resistant pneumococci, a concern for infection in overwhelming postsplenectomy infection, have led to reevaluation of the role of splenectomy. Recent management guidelines acknowledge these important considerations when entertaining splenectomy and recommend detailed discussion between health care providers, patient, and family.


2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Harish Peri ◽  
Rafique Umer Harvitkar

Abstract Introduction Open injuries have a potential for serious bacterial wound infections and may lead to long term disabilities, chronic wound or bone infection, and even death. This QI study was undertaken to ring in changes to the current management protocol and align them as per WHO guidelines. Method Implementing changes through a Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle post an initial clinical audit among 38 patients of the organization. Re-audits were done to measure the outcome against the standard and establish a new protocol. Results Initial audit showed only a dismal 37% (n = 14) of patients being managed as per WHO protocol. Patient satisfaction percentage (as measured by a questionnaire) was also low with only 54% of patients satisfied with the treatment. Significant variations were noted post implementation of changes after the first PDSA cycle where >90% (n = 35) of patients reported that they noticed better wound healing, transition to optimal performance and were satisfied with treatment outcomes. Conclusions Timely wound dressings, appropriate antibiotic prophylaxis and increased patient’s awareness on wound hygiene through means of regular educational sessions and updated management protocols have led to healthier patients, lesser long term disabilities and happy patients.


2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 125-126
Author(s):  
Chris Alderman

People from developed countries around the world now routinely live into their 80s and beyond, and this is associated with a range of medical and societal challenges that must be addressed. It is relatively rare to encounter older people who are not affected by one or more chronic diseases, including conditions such as osteoarthritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hypertension, and depression. The concurrence of a number of medical and/or psychiatric conditions in the same patient has come to be referred to as multimorbidity, and it is a particularly familiar phenomenon observed by health care providers in settings such as the Emergency Department (ED), primary care practice, and long-term care facilities. Given that life expectancy continues to increase, and that there is considerable further investment in research for the development of new treatments, which will achieve adoption and be promoted to consumers, it is clear that multimorbidity is likely to be a driver for problems arising from medications that are vigorously promoted to consumers.


1994 ◽  
Vol 165 (S26) ◽  
pp. 9-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin B. Keller

The realisation that major depression is often both chronic and recurrent has slowly begun to change the way that depression is diagnosed and treated. In particular, the need for continuation and maintenance treatment is an issue that now deserves increased attention, especially with the availability of new classes of antidepressant treatments, which have excellent efficacy and more favourable side-effect profiles. Although the serious consequences of depressive disorders clearly indicate the need for effective and prompt intervention on the part of clinicians, the results of several studies indicate that patients with depression consistently receive no or low levels of antidepressant therapy. It is hoped that, through continued education of health care providers and patients about the consequences of depression, the issue of undertreatment of this serious illness will be resolved.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. e0242604
Author(s):  
Marian Loveday ◽  
Sindisiwe Hlangu ◽  
Jennifer Furin

Background There are few data on the on the care experiences of pregnant women with rifampicin-resistant TB. Objective To describe the treatment journeys of pregnant women with RR-TB—including how their care experiences shape their identities—and identify areas in which tailored interventions are needed. Methods In this qualitative study in-depth interviews were conducted among a convenience sample from a population of pregnant women receiving treatment for RR-TB. This paper follows COREQ guidelines. A thematic network analysis using an inductive approach was performed to analyze the interview transcripts and notes. The analysis was iterative and a coding system developed which focused on the care experiences of the women and how these experiences affected their perceptions of themselves, their children, and the health care system in which treatment was received. Results Seventeen women were interviewed. The women described multiple challenges in their treatment journeys which required them to demonstrate sustained resilience (i.e. to “be brave”). Care experiences required them to negotiate seemingly contradictory identities as both new mothers—“givers of life”—and RR-TB patients facing a complicated and potentially deadly disease. In terms of their “pregnancy identity” and “RR-TB patient identity” that emerged as part of their care experiences, four key themes were identified that appeared to have elements that were contradictory to one another (contradictory areas). These included: 1) the experience of physical symptoms or changes; 2) the experience of the “mothering” and “patient” roles; 3) the experience of the care they received for their pregnancy and their RR-TB; and 4) the experience of community engagement. There were also three areas that overlapped with both roles and during which identity was negotiated/reinforced and they included: 1) faith; 2) socioeconomic issues; and 3) long-term concerns over the child’s health. At times, the health care system exacerbated these challenges as the women were not given the support they needed by health care providers who were ill-informed or angry and treated the women in a discriminatory fashion. Left to negotiate this confusing time period, the women turned to faith, their own mothers, and the fathers of their unborn children. Conclusion The care experiences of the women who participated in this study highlight several gaps in the current health care system that must be better addressed in both TB and perinatal services in order to improve the therapeutic journeys for pregnant women with RR-TB and their children. Suggestions for optimizing care include the provision of integrated services, including specialized counseling as well as training for health care providers; engagement of peer support networks; provision of socioeconomic support; long-term medical care/follow-up for children born to women who were treated for RR-TB; and inclusion of faith-based services in the provision of care.


Stroke ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Theresa L Green ◽  
Patrice Lindsay

Introduction: In Canada, approximately 12% of acute stroke patients are admitted to long-term care (LTC; or residential aged care) facilities following an acute stroke event. An additional 20-30% of patients are discharged home from hospital with referral for community-based homecare. Training programs for health care providers in these settings is variable and at times inconsistent with best practices. Internationally, focus is now shifting from a predominant inpatient acute care focus, to one encompassing ongoing care and support in the community for people living with stroke. In 2015, an educational resource called Taking Action for Optimal Community & Long Term Stroke Care (TACLS) was launched across Canada to ensure the appropriate knowledge and skills of front line care providers for stroke survivors in community and LTC facilities; the focus of this resource is on rehabilitation and recovery. Methods: The purpose of this interactive session is to introduce the TACLS resource and to engage health professionals in an examination of current international community based rehabilitation and recovery programs. The discussion/workshop will allow participants to examine, compare and contrast components of the TACLS program with programs being developed or offered elsewhere. Results: As health care providers helping stroke survivors live well and longer means investing in the use of best practice tools and resources that fit the local context and organizational practices. Bringing together international opinions and observations around post-stroke community care will allow cross-collaboration and inter-professional networking opportunities that ultimately will benefit patients living with stroke in community based settings. Discussion: As care shifts from hospital to community based settings, the importance of tools available to support stroke survivors in this area of the care continuum is essential. In Canada, utilizing the HSF education resource (TACLS) provides information to support community based health care providers working with people who have had a stroke in helping them achieve optimal outcomes, regain their best level of functioning, and live meaningful lives.


2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Kononowech ◽  
Zach Landis-Lewis ◽  
Joan Carpenter ◽  
Mary Ersek ◽  
Robert Hogikyan ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Process mapping is often used in quality improvement work to examine current processes and workflow and to identify areas to intervene to improve quality. Our objective in this paper is to describe process maps as a visual means of understanding modifiable behaviors and activities, in this case example to ensure that goals of care conversations are part of admitting a veteran in long-term care settings. Methods We completed site visits to 6 VA nursing homes and reviewed their current admission processes. We conducted interviews to document behaviors and activities that occur when a veteran is referred to a long-term care setting, during admission, and during mandatory VA reassessments. We created visualizations of the data using process mapping approaches. Process maps for each site were created to document the admission activities for each VA nursing home and were reviewed by the research team to identify consistencies across sites and to identify potential opportunities for implementing goals of care conversations. Results We identified five consistent behaviors that take place when a veteran is referred and admitted in long-term care. These behaviors are assessing, discussing, decision-making, documenting, and re-assessing. Conclusions Based on the process maps, it seems feasible that the LST note and order template could be completed along with other routine assessment processes. However, this will require more robust multi-disciplinary collaboration among both prescribing and non-prescribing health care providers. Completing the LST template during the current admission process would increase the likelihood that the template is completed in a timely manner, potentially alleviate the perceived time burden, and help with the provision of veteran-centered care.


Author(s):  
Maha Shakir ◽  
Dennis Viehland

The Health Board is one of the largest public health care providers in New Zealand (NZ). In early 1999, a supply chain optimization review recommended an enterprise system (ES) implementation to provide better control and reporting of organizational finances. The focus of this case is the IT platform decision made in conjunction with the ES implementation process. This decision was thoroughly considered by all Health Board stakeholders and the final choice was made in alignment with the Board’s strategic IT policy. Nevertheless, initial testing two months prior to go-live revealed major performance problems with the new system. The case documents the events that led up to the selection of the original IT platform and the challenges the project team faced in deciding what to do when the platform did not meet contractual specifications.


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