Advances in wound care technology have
provided more choice and increasingly
positive wound healing outcomes. Of course,
nurses are aware of the wound healing
process, assessment and management.
However, our biggest challenge lies in
choosing the correct dressing — wider choice
equals more confusion. Are we confident in the advantages and
disadvantages of using each dressing? Training in dressing choice
is vital, otherwise we risk making inappropriate dressing choices,
providing inadequate care and increasing costs.
Julie Evans,
Tissue viability nurse, Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health
Board, Swansea
bandaging and hosiery options.
A recent article in the
Journal of
Community Nursing
(
co.uk) highlighted that nurses are
struggling to cope with the basics
of compression therapy, let alone
deal with all the new technology
that has appeared in the last
20 years.
However, we are in danger
of being a little negative. Rather
than bemoaning the confusing
array of new products, what we
actually need is a greater focus on
the education of nurses and other
clinicians in the basics of wound
healing. After all, we can put as
many different dressing products on
a wound as we like, but if we don’t
understand the basics of moist
wound healing or bioburden, for
example, all the technology in the
world isn’t going to help us and a
dressing certainly isn’t.
While we all welcome the
significant investment in product
research and design, what we really
need is a workforce that is confident
in identifying the causes of a wound,
knowing what is needed to provide
the optimum healing environment,
and how to deliver this using the
right dressings and technology. It is
also important to recognise that as
the wound conditions change, so too
must the dressing to meet the new
circumstances. This can only come
from understanding how to monitor
the wound’s progress and react
accordingly.
Technology is important, but
without the basics it really doesn’t
matter whether you use a medically-
treated honey, a bovine-derived skin
graft, or a PHMB dressing. The end
result will be exactly the same —
and your patients might not thank
you for it.
Advances in technology mean
that health professionals
providing wound care are
exposed to a plethora of
dressings. However, having
access to such a wide range
of products can also cause
confusion and lead to poor
wound management. Health
professionals have the potential
to change a person’s life and
significantly improve their
wellbeing. Therefore, the
decisions they make must be
based on a clear understanding
of the wound healing process,
the science behind the dressing,
but most importantly, the needs
of their patient. Working in
partnership with the patient
promotes concordance and
prevents wastage of products
and poor clinical outcomes.
Lorraine Grothier
Clinical nurse specialist tissue
viability, lymphoedema manager,
Provide, St Peter’s Hospital,
Maldon, Essex
WOUND CARE TODAY
2014,Vol 1, No 1
7
WCT
The key to appropriate dressing selection is a detailed assessment that
includes the wound, periwound and general skin health. The cause of the
wound is often a good clue to management and always remember that
dressings do not heal the wound, they support the body to heal by managing
symptoms. Similarly, there isn’t one perfect dressing to use — stay focused
on what the objective of wound management is and select dressings that will
help you to achieve this.
Jackie Stephen-Haynes,
Professor in tissue viability, Birmingham City University and consultant nurse,
Worcestershire Health and Care Trust
WOUND WATCH
›
