Case Study

By Samantha Kuplicki, MSN, APRN-CNS, AGCNS-BC, CWS, CWCN, CFCN This is the account of a patient case in which technology, clinician experience, and patient adherence converged to save a limb.

When determining the course of action for treating a given wound, it is important that wound care clinicians evaluate how advanced wound care therapies have been deemed evidence based and how the specific product technology works. Evidence-based advanced wound care products are required to be safe and effective based on epidemiology, etiology, and pathophysiology. However, safety and efficiency are not a 100% guarantee of effectiveness in clinical practice.

By the WoundSource Editors A vast percentage of wounds become chronically stalled because of mixed etiology and other underlying comorbid medical conditions. This means the wound is multifactorial, and using a singular approach won’t be enough. Lower extremity wounds, for example, can have diabetes, venous and arterial issues, and pressure all as factors playing into the same wound.

By Lindsay D. Andronaco RN, BSN, CWCN, WOC, DAPWCA, FAACWS Cultural sensitivity and awareness is something that as healthcare providers, we say we practice – but do we always practice what we preach?

By Karen Zulkowski DNS, RN, CWS In my last blog, I talked about cultural beliefs affecting care. But there are geographic differences in North America that do also; for example, temperature. Temperature as a concept in the Chinese culture balances hot and cold illnesses with corresponding foods. However, in macro terms outside temperature also affects care.

By Lydia Corum RN MSN CWCN The times are changing in the world of wound care. There used to be a time when there were no problems with reimbursements, as long as the doctor wrote the order. Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) regulations confuse clinicians and make the world of healing wounds much more difficult. The changes are in the area of denials with not enough information given for choosing dressings, use of negative pressure therapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Are all these changes needed? Why are these changes happening? What can hospitals and wound clinics do to make things better?

By Keval Parikh and James McGuire DPM, PT, CPed, FAPWHc An important aspect of the field of wound care is the proper preparation of the wound bed. Key points in wound bed preparation include minimizing exudate, assistance in the facilitation of the body’s healing process, and helping to produce a well-vascularized, stable wound that is free of microbes.