Product Selection

By Holly Hovan MSN, APRN, CWOCN-AP

As wound care clinicians, we are aware that part of the process of consulting requires a comprehensive wound assessment, looking at wound characteristics, causative factors, and drainage. As I've previously mentioned, we've all heard the term, "a dry cell is a dead cell." However, not all wounds are dry.

by Hy-Tape International

Nurses and other health care professionals often dress dozens of wounds in a single day. Each wound must be appropriately cared for using best practices in order to reduce the risk of infection, discomfort, and other complications. Yet many health care professionals struggle to dress wounds in difficult places, and struggle to ensure the dressing stays secure even when the patient is active. In order to more effectively dress wounds, it is important to adopt best practices for wound care and use better wound dressings and adhesives.

by Terri Kolenich, RN, CWCA, AAPWCA

I travel to several states educating wound care providers and nurses in the long-term care setting. Many of the questions I get are the same whether I'm on the east or west coast. The one question that I encounter the most often during wound rounds or an education session is: "How do I know which treatment to use for this wound?"

My general response to this frequently asked question is: Treat the wound according to the characteristics of the wound bed. This simple answer often leads to more questions. What does that really mean? What wound bed characteristics am I looking for? Which wound treatment will address those characteristics? What treatments can I use together, and are there treatments I should not combine?

by Cheryl Carver, LPN, WCC, CWCA, FACCWS, DAPWCA, CLTC

With approximately $20 billion being spent a year on advanced wound care supplies, cost containment is a sought after goal. Long-term care facilities battle cutting costs under one reimbursement system like everyone else, but I assure you this challenge can be simplified, while continuing to bolster quality of care. I have learned that to contain cost, you must use experience, knowledge, and strong project management. So how do we accomplish this? I have broken down a cost containment plan for your long-term care facility.

by Thomas E. Serena MD, FACS, FACHM, FAPWCA

"Price is what you pay. Value is what you get"
-Warren Buffet¹

Lawrence Mills introduced the concept of Value Analysis to the manufacturing industry a half century ago. The basic idea entails analyzing the function and importance of the various parts of a product as they relate to cost. He derived the following equation²:

by Cheryl Carver, LPN, WCC, CWCA, FACCWS, DAPWCA, CLTC

I observe clinicians innocently dumping loads of expensive product into wounds using them incorrectly. Many products have specific usage instructions just like medications. But for some reason, clinicians do not have this same perception. Wound care is much more than squeezing a dollop of ointment, or using embellished foams. Not all dressings are the same.

by the WoundSource Editors

Health care professionals have a major responsibility for assuring patient safety and quality of care when making wound care product selections or recommending treatment options. This is particularly true for wound care.

One component in this is understanding the process used by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to classify products. The FDA determines what testing is required for each product category; what claims can be made; the indications and contraindications for each product; and ingredients required for specific claims. Unfortunately, clinical education does not usually include a basic course in the FDA classification system and regulatory requirements.

by Keval Parikh and James McGuire DPM, PT, CPed, FAPWHc

There are many different kinds of wound dressings available. Choosing one to use depends on the unique characteristics of the wound. According to Watson and Hodgkin, the ideal wound dressing should exhibit a number of characteristics by providing the following: moisture and exudate management, prevention of saturation and strikethrough, diffusion of wound gases, microorganism protection, mechanical protection; localized temperature and pH control; removal/change comfort; wound odor management; cosmetic acceptability; non-allergenic composition; non-contamination of the wound bed; and cost-effectiveness.¹

by Diana L. Gallagher MS, RN, CWOCN, CFCN

I have always prided myself on my ability to place patients' needs as a top priority. Patients are people and each and every one is an individual. They have unique needs and desires. Their levels of education, both formal and life lessons, varies greatly. They relate to me and communicate with me on different levels. They may have the same need for education, but they each learn differently. Although there are commonalities, the differences are significant. All people appreciate knowing that they are a priority and that they matter. Admittedly, making every patient a priority is a juggling act at times. It clearly takes extra time and effort but going the extra mile has always been worth it. I believe that doing the right thing the first time saves time and effort in the long run.

by Carmelita Harbeson and James McGuire DPM, PT, CPed, FAPWHc

Compression therapies work to restore circulation, reduce edema, and enhance tissue stability. With the myriad of compression options available, sorting through which treatments are best for each patient can be a daunting task for clinicians. This post presents an introduction to Tubigrip™, a multi-purpose tubular compression bandage and focuses on its utilization in decreasing edema associated with venous and lymphatic conditions.