Patient Issues

As clinicians know, wound healing is a complex biological process that involves the migration and proliferation of cells along with other molecular events like extracellular matrix deposition. Regardless of the process for healing a wound at the cellular level, a patient’s ability to get adequate nutrition can also play a role in this healing process. It has been shown that malnutrition can cause increased levels of infection, along with a decrease in tensile strength. As a result, the lack of nutritious foods further delays the wound healing process, potentially putting a patient at risk of developing a non-healing wound.

Dr. Scott Bolhack, MD, MBA, CMD, CWS, FACP, FAAP, discusses the importance of communication across care settings. Through the "Wound Provider Checklist" he presented at SAWC Spring 2023, Dr. Bolhack hopes this tool simplifies the complexities of patient transition through care.

By Paula Erwin-Toth MSN, RN, CWOCN, CNS, FAAN November marks the beginning of National Family Caregiver Month. Many of us are not only health care providers, but we are also family caregiver; some of us are part of the so-called sandwich generation. Caring for aging parents along with raising children can leave you feeling squeezed in the middle. While being a family caregiver can be incredibly rewarding, it can be a challenge physically, emotionally and financially. Caring for a loved one with a chronic wound can be especially daunting since the time, skill and dedication required can be overwhelming. This is especially true for family caregivers who suddenly find themselves needing to learn a multitude of health related skills.

By Paula Erwin-Toth MSN, RN, CWOCN, CNS, FAAN This November marks the second annual National Family Caregivers Month. Family caregivers are the unsung, unpaid giants of health care. Some are suddenly thrust into the role; others take on caregiver duties more gradually. In fact many people do not even self-identify with the term 'caregiver'. They think of themselves as husband, wife, son or daughter doing what they want and need to do for their loved one.

By Paula Erwin-Toth MSN, RN, CWOCN, CNS The new year has begun. Many of us have made resolutions with the best of intentions. Exercise more, lose weight, eat healthy foods, keep blood sugar in a healthy range, stop smoking and using smokeless tobacco, watch less television. The list goes on and on. I am no stranger to not keeping my New Year's resolutions beyond a month or two. The best way to keep a resolution is to make it realistic. Make your goals achievable. Don't resolve to run a marathon if you cannot walk around the block. Rather than vowing to lose 50 pounds, set a goal of 10. Once you have lost 10 pounds resolve to lose another 10 and so on.

By Paula Erwin-Toth MSN, RN, CWOCN, CNS I hope everyone is doing well in the midst of challenging world and domestic events. I was having a discussion with my 7-year-old grandson and was amazed at what young minds pick up on and how they interpret world events. He was discussing the possibilities of World War III and checked out a book on modern ground weapons from the library. I listened, respected his efforts to express his understanding of chemical weapons, terrorism and war and yet tried to offer information and reassurance.

By Karen Zulkowski DNS, RN, CWS All medical personnel strive to provide care based on the strongest available evidence. Yet how many of us provide culturally competent care? Culturally competent care is defined as having specific cognitive and effective skills that are essential for building culturally-relevant relationships between patients and providers.1 We may know about local customs but in today’s global world our patients may be from a different area of the world. So how would you react if your Asian patient wanted to use non-traditional medicine or your patient of the Sikh faith refused to remove their underpants prior to surgery?

Refractory wounds comprise a significant worldwide health problem, affecting 5 to 7 million people per year in the United States alone, as discussed in previous blogs. Wounds that fail to heal not only impact quality of life, but also impose a significant physical, psychosocial, and financial burden. Additionally, individuals with refractory wounds often experience significant morbidity, and sometimes mortality. Wound infections and amputations are common in this population, and chronic conditions often exist as well.

by Terri Kolenich, RN, CWCA, AAPWCA As a nurse who was once a caregiver for a family member, I have a unique and personal perspective on the needs of caregivers. I cared for my mother-in-law, who was also my best friend and mentor, during the last several months of her life. At the time I provided care for her, I hadn't yet started my education to become a nurse. Knowing what I know now as a nurse causes me to reflect often on the daily struggles I encountered performing the very basic elements of her care.