Terms to Know: COVID-19 and Wound Care

By the WoundSource Editors

COVID-19: The name of the disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). The abbreviation COVID-19 is short for coronavirus disease 2019.

Fit test: A 15- to 20-minute testing of the seal between the respirator's facepiece and your face. After passing a fit test with a respirator, you must use the exact same make, model, style, and size respirator on the job.

Liquid sealant: Liquid skin sealants are designed to protect vulnerable areas from the effects of skin injury. They form a transparent protective coating on the skin. Indicated for use on stage 1 pressure injuries and low-exudating stage 2 pressure ulcers, pressure points and bony prominences, and under adhesive products to protect the skin.

Low-profile dressing: Low-residue design–type dressing such as a hydrocolloid or a transparent film to protect skin from breakdown or to dress superficial wounds.

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Medical device–related pressure injury (MDRPI): This type of pressure injury results from the use of devices designed and applied for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. The pressure injury generally conforms to the pattern or shape of the device. The injury should be staged using the pressure injury staging system.

N95 mask: Personal protective equipment (PPE) that is used to protect from airborne particles and liquid contaminating the face.

SARS-CoV: Abbreviation for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus. Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) was recognized in February 2003. Both COVID-19 and SARS are caused by coronaviruses. The virus that causes SARS is known as SARS-CoV, whereas the virus that causes COVID-19 is known as SARS-CoV-2. There are also other types of human coronaviruses.

Surgical mask: A medical mask that is disposable and protects the nose and mouth from contact with droplets and splashes that may contain pathogenic organisms. The surgical mask also filters out larger air particles, but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved the surgical mask to provide protection from COVID-19. Surgical masks are to be worn if N95 masks are not available.

Telehealth: Telehealth is a broader scope of remote health care services than telemedicine. Telehealth uses a video visit via a device that connects to the Internet such as a computer, tablet, or smartphone. Telehealth can refer to remote non-clinical services, such as provider training, administrative meetings, and continuing medical education, in addition to clinical services utilizing video visit via a device that connects to the Internet.

Telemedicine: Telemedicine refers specifically to remote clinical services, such as wound assessment, guided dressing changes, and general checkups.

Unavoidable pressure injury: In long-term residential care, “unavoidable” means that the resident developed a pressure ulcer even though the facility had evaluated the resident’s clinical condition and pressure ulcer risk factors; defined and implemented interventions that are consistent with resident needs, goals, and recognized standards of practice; monitored and evaluated the impact of the interventions; and revised the approaches as appropriate.

The views and opinions expressed in this blog are solely those of the author, and do not represent the views of WoundSource, Kestrel Health Information, Inc., its affiliates, or subsidiary companies.