Empowering and Engaging Nurses Through a Nurse-Driven Skin Tear Protocol
January 17, 2019
Holly M. Hovan MSN, APRN, ACNS-BC, CWOCN-AP
Payne and Martin brought skin tears to the attention of wound and skin specialists and to the wound care community when they reported an incidence rate of 2.23% in individuals aged 55 years and older, living in a long-term care facility. A skin tear is "a wound caused by shear, friction, and/or blunt force resulting in a separation of skin layers." Skin tears may be partial- or full-thickness wounds, develop into chronic wounds without proper treatment and follow-up, and, most importantly, are preventable.
Leech Therapy Applications in Wound Management
March 16, 2017
By Aletha Tippett MD
People from across the country call or email me asking about using leeches for a loved one. Usually, I tell them to try to find someone close to them to administer therapy. Often, the problem is not something a leech could help. I have written about leech therapy before, but maybe it’s time to review how leeches can be used in wound management.
Missed Opportunities: Leech Therapy for Flap Salvage
December 7, 2016
By Aletha Tippett MD
Sometimes when we think back on the things that have we have done for a patient it gives us a feeling of great satisfaction. Sometimes, however, these past reflections give us feelings of sadness and futility.
Skin Tears: What Are the First Steps?
August 4, 2023
Editor's Note: What are the first steps to treating a skin tear? In this interview, Emily Greenstein, APRN, CNP, CWON-AP, FACCWS describes some best practices for skin tear management, such as marking a dressing for the direction of the skin flap.
The Benefits of Leech Therapy in Wound Care
August 4, 2015
By Aletha Tippett MD
I have written about biotherapy in the past, primarily about maggot therapy, but today I would like to discuss leech therapy. In the U.S., leeches are used frequently by plastic surgeons to save a surgical flap that is in danger of dying. Leeches in the U.S. are provided by Leeches USA and they keep leeches ready at the New York airport to ship out in an emergency 24/7. The leeches used actually come from France and are FDA approved. Monarch Labs in the U.S. is working to develop a U.S. leech, but has a ways to go to get FDA approval.
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