Resources

Cavity wounds can be very challenging in practice and often require adaptation of the clinical skills required for the management of most other acute and chronic wounds. Failure to manage cavity wounds effectively can result in delayed healing and an increased risk of associated complications. This in turn can place increased demands on a clinicians’ case load and increase costs for health services, as well as impacting negatively upon the patient’s quality of life. This article describes cavity wound presentation, the adaptations required in their assessment and management, and includes identifying appropriate cavity wound dressings to optimise local wound care. The importance of considering the physical and psychological wellbeing of the patient is also discussed, along with the importance of engaging them in decisions about their care and enabling self-management where appropriate. 

Throughout the COVID-19 outbreak, community nursing services continue to deliver care to the vulnerable. Leg ulcer management is a significant part of this caseload. Alison Hopkins provides some practical advice on how to maximize efficiency in applying compression to this patient group, in order to reduce nurse workload and maximize outcomes for patients.

The delivery of wound care in the current climate is challenging so effective solutions are more important than ever. It is vital that you are aware of the latest products and innovations that have the potential to improve outcomes.

If you have patients on your caseload with long standing wounds, it is likely that biofilm is the cause. Here, we present AQUACEL^® Ag+, an innovative dressing range that has been specifically designed to disrupt and destroy biofilm to help progress hard-to-heal wounds.
 

Kate Upton, registered adult nurse and fellow of the Higher Education Academy; representative for Nursing Professions on the Crisis, Disaster and Trauma Psychology Section of the British Psychological Society; independent nursing/medical tutor and medical writer; PhD student at the University of Birmingham

Welcome to Wound Care Today; the place for you to share your successes and concerns and learn about what is happening in wound care, globally, nationally, locally, politically and clinically.

Alison Schofield asks if tissue viability is in crisis, and explains how WCT and TVN2Together aim to offer support.

Rachel Reece describes the development of educational resources to support 140 link workers in the efficient delivery of wound care across a large 1200 bed acute trust.

Do you find it difficult to appropriately reposition patients with complex needs using traditional pressure-relieving products? A lateral tilt pressure care mattress may be the answer to your problem.  The OSKA Series5 lateral tilt pressure care mattress uses an alternating air and foam combination to provide both comfort and support to people with pressure ulcers. It is suitable as an aid in the prevention, and treatment of, pressure ulcers up to and including category 4.

Una Adderley gives an update on progress of the NWCSP to date.

Lorraine Jones describes how dressing spend was increasing year on year at the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, and in order to drive efficiency, procurement of dressings was switched from supply chain to ONPOS. The process and outcomes are described.