by the WoundSource Editors
Advancements in molecular microbiology, microscopy technology, and techniques for study of bacteria have increased the ability to identify the existence of biofilms, but there still remains the unknown, such as differentiating between planktonic...
By the WoundSource Editors
Wound biofilms not only impede healing but also increase the risk of infection. It is essential that wound biofilms be addressed and treated in a prompt, consistent manner. Biofilms have been an ongoing challenge because of the majority of resistant...
by the WoundSource Editors
Wound infection is a complex process that can be affected by a variety of factors, some of which inhibit the ability to heal. The first stage of healing, the inflammatory stage, is particularly susceptible to chronicity. Chronicity can be influenced by...
by the WoundSource Editors
The human skin microbiome is incredibly diverse and can contain up to one billion microorganisms on a single square centimeter, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and arthropods. These dynamic environments often become more complicated when wounds are...
by the WoundSource Editors
Aerobic microorganisms: Organisms thriving in an oxygen-rich environment.
Anaerobic microorganisms: Organisms thriving in an oxygen-depleted environment.
Autolytic debridement: A selective...
by the WoundSource Editors
by the WoundSource Editors
Palliative care and hospice care are not the same, but they both share one goal. They both focus on a patient's physical, mental, social, and spiritual needs. Palliative care...
by the WoundSource Editors
by the WoundSource Editors
by the WoundSource Editors
Acute Wound: A wound that is following a predicted pattern of healing that should result in complete functional closure.
Chronic Wound: A wound that has failed to re-epithelialize after three months, usually...
by the WoundSource Editors
Surgical site infections (SSIs) account for 20% of total documented infections each year and cost approximately $34,000 per episode. SSIs are responsible for increased readmission rates, length of stay, reoperation, morbidity, and mortality, as well as...
by the WoundSource Editors
Surgical site infections (SSIs) are the most prevalent surgical wound complications, comprising approximately 15% of all health care–associated infections, with more than 500,000 reported yearly.1 Preventing SSIs is perhaps the best way to...
by the WoundSource Editors
Appropriate surgical wound and incision management in the post-operative time period is imperative to prevent complications...
by the WoundSource Editors
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate approximately 30 million surgical procedures are performed annually in the United States.1 Advances in technology have afforded patients options such as minimally invasive surgery...
by the WoundSource Editors
Callus: Localized area where the stratum corneum is thickened, typically found bordering ulcerations on the plantar, medial, and lateral surfaces of the foot; in the setting of diabetic foot ulcer, this indicates an...
by the WoundSource Editors
Comprehensive treatment of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) includes moist local or topical wound care, serial sharp debridement,...
by the WoundSource Editors
Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are ostensibly the most challenging types of chronic ulcerations to manage, given their multifactorial nature. Thorough, systematic assessment of a patient with a DFU is essential to developing a comprehensive plan of care....
by the WoundSource Editors
Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are arguably among the most difficult types of wounds to manage; the etiology of these wounds poses some of the greatest clinical challenges for healing, considering the multifaceted nature of diabetes...
by the WoundSource Editors
Successful utilization of the TIME model for wound bed preparation requires a working knowledge of chronic wound tissue types. In addition, building on this foundational knowledge is the development of accurate wound assessment skills. These components...
by the WoundSource Editors
Before embarking on the journey of wound bed preparation, the goals for wound care should be carefully considered. A realistic look at the goals and expectations from the perspective of the patient as well as the wound care team is the first step in...
by the WoundSource Editors
Alginate: Highly absorptive, non-occlusive dressing derived from brown seaweed or kelp.
Antimicrobial dressing: Delivers a sustained release of antimicrobial agents to the...
by the WoundSource Editors
by the WoundSource Editors
by the WoundSource Editors
Dressing selections can be overwhelming for clinicians and providers in health care. There are now well over 6,000...
by The WoundSource Editors
To witness the normal wound healing process is extraordinary. However, the systematic process of healing is not always perfect....
by The WoundSource Editors
There are four stages of wound healing. This systematic process moves in a linear direction. The four stages of wound healing are: hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and maturation. It is imperative to remember that wound healing is not linear. It...
by The WoundSource Editors
by the WoundSource Editors
by WoundSource Editors
Chronic wounds are any types of wounds that have failed to heal in 90 days. Identifying the cause of a chronic wound is most important in the healing process. We as clinicians must help bolster advanced wound care by sharing advances in education in...
by The WoundSource Editors
by the Wound Source Editors
by the WoundSource Editors
Acute wound: Alteration in skin integrity such as a simple laceration or a surgical wound that moves normally through the healing process and heals in a predictable timeframe without complication.
Antibiotic resistant:...
by the WoundSource Editors
Of the millions of surgical procedures performed annually, most surgical site wounds heal without complications. Surgical site infections...
by the WoundSource Editors
by the WoundSource Editors
by the WoundSource Editors
Given the impact of infection on delayed wound healing, determining the presence of colonization and infection is imperative to achieving healed outcomes. ...
by the WoundSource Editors
It has long been known in clinical practice that long-term exposure of the skin to moisture is harmful and can lead to extensive skin breakdown. The term moisture-associated skin damage was coined as an umbrella term to describe the spectrum of...
by the WoundSource Editors
by the WoundSource Editors
by the WoundSource Editors
The performance of an accurate and complete skin assessment is of utmost importance to obtaining and maintaining healthy skin. Understanding the structure and function of the skin is key to the differentiation of normal from abnormal findings. Having...
by the WoundSource Editors
by the WoundSource Editors
by the WoundSource Editors
