WoundSource Practice Accelerator: Skin Management

WoundSource Practice Accelerator: Skin Management

MARCH IS SKIN MANAGEMENT MONTH As part of the WoundSource Practice Accelerator series, we are offering you this educational portal into a variety of topics related to skin breakdown and management. Please scroll below to choose your learning experience and please share this page with your social network and colleagues. Expanded awareness leads to better prevention and care. WATCH VIDEO View this month’s educational resources. WHITE PAPER WEBINAR FACT SHEET QUIZ FEATURED ARTICLES DOWNLOADABLE WHITE PAPER Common Skin Conditions in Wound Care: Identification, Assessment, Etiology and Risk Factors Understanding the risk factors and causes of skin breakdown in vulnerable patients enables health care professionals to develop individualized wound prevention protocols. This guide discusses wound etiology as it relates to clinical management, the importance and timing of skin care assessments for wound prevention, and risk assessment tools such as the Braden Scale and pressure mapping. DOWNLOAD THE WHITE PAPER ON-DEMAND WEBINAR Skin Care Assessment and Prevention Strategies Chenel Trevellini, RN, MSN, CWOCN Skin care is an essential component of patient care. Managing and preventing skin complications in at-risk populations by addressing risk factors and promoting optimal skin health will support patient quality of life and outcomes. This webinar was developed to address the professional practice issues related to basic skin care assessment and prevention strategies to optimize the skin health of patients across the health care continuum. REGISTER NOW Quick Facts - Skin and Wound Care Download Quick Facts – Skin and Wound Care and share it within your facility. This two-page fact sheet was created to support staff education on managing skin complications. The print-friendly format is perfect for posting on the bulletin board or distributing to your nursing staff at in-service. DOWNLOAD THE FACT SHEET How Much Do You Know About Managing Skin Complications? Take our 10-question quiz to find out! TAKE THE QUIZ Terms to know: Managing Skin Complications Epidermis: the outer layer of the skin, which is the protective layer against the outside elements. Epithelialization: the growth of the epidermis over a wound during the remodeling stage. Granulation: condition occurring in a full-thickness wound where the growth of small vessels and connective tissue forms “scaffolding” as the wound rebuilds. VIEW THE FULL GLOSSARY READ THIS MONTH'S FEATURED ARTICLES Maintaining Skin Integrity The skin is the largest organ of our body, covering 18 square feet and weighing approximately 12 pounds. Despite positive characteristics, the skin is always susceptible to and at risk of injury and breakdown. Maintaining skin... Read More Periwound Skin Management Periwound skin management is just as important as wound bed preparation in wound healing. The goal is to maintain an optimal moist wound healing environment while preventing skin breakdown and infection. Skin is more vulnerable in... Read More Managing Skin in At-Risk Populations Those working with at-risk populations must be aware of how to address the skin care needs of our patients and prevent pressure ulcers and injuries. At-risk populations, such as older adults, persons who are incontinent, pediatric patients, immobile... Read More Preventive Skin Care Strategies and Assessment of the Skin There has been extensive research on how to prevent skin care–related skin breakdown, and most research agrees on a few main components. Eliminating skin contact with sweat, urine, and stool... Read More MARCH IS SKIN MANAGEMENT MONTH Management of Skin Complications Skin management is a broad category that includes periwound skin care, moisture management, and pressure injury prevention. Pediatric and older adult populations are most at risk for skin related complications, as are those with mobility issues and/or chronic disease processes. The skin is the largest organ of the body, and as such, the opportunities for breakdown are numerous. Watch this brief overview video to learn more about skin management and the educational resources made available in the March Practice Accelerator portal on skin management and care

Common Skin Conditions in Wound Care: Identification, Assessment, Etiology and Risk Factors

Understanding the risk factors and causes of skin breakdown in vulnerable patients enables health care professionals to develop individualized wound prevention protocols. When wounds and skin disorders do occur, identification of specific skin conditions aids in care planning and wound management in these patients. This guide discusses wound etiology as it relates to clinical management, the importance and timing of skin care assessments for wound prevention, and risk assessment tools such as th...

Quick Facts - Diabetic Foot Ulcers

A diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is an open sore commonly found on the bottom of the foot in patients with diabetes. This wound is typically caused by a combination of poor vascularity, neuropathy, and repetitive trauma. DFUs are all too frequent complications of diabetes, and they impose a heavy burden on patients and health care systems. The central goals of DFU management are achieving wound healing, addressing risk factors, achieving adequate perfusion, controlling infection and glucose levels...

How Much Do You Know About WoundSource Practice Accelerator: Skin Management?

Terms to Know: Managing Skin Complications

by the WoundSource Editors Epidermis: the outer layer of the skin, which is the protective layer against the outside elements. Epithelialization: the growth of the epidermis over a wound during the remodeling stage. Granulation: condition occurring in a full-thickness wound where the growth of small vessels and connective tissue forms “scaffolding” as the wound rebuilds.