Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to C Williams.
Traditionally known as 'the mariner's cure', alginates have been used as wound dressings for many years. Tegagen (formerly Tegagel) is an alginate dressing with improved performance from 3M. It is designed for a variety of wounds with moderate to high levels of exudate. Alginates are a very cost-effective treatment option for flat and cavity wounds of this type.
Aquacel wound dressing, produced by ConvaTec, uses the main ingredient of the hydrocolloid dressing in a new way to produce a hydrofibre dressing. Aquacel is designed for use in moderate to heavily exuding wounds as it absorbs exudate directly into its fibres. It has been shown to be effective in pressure sores, leg ulcers and surgical wounds, producing warm, moist, local wound conditions for optimum wound healing. Aquacel can lock exudate away thus protecting the surrounding skin.
Foam dressings are used widely by many healthcare professionals. They provide an excellent healing environment for exuding wounds. Lyofoam is a polyurethane foam dressing that has been developed over the last few years and is available in a variety of presentations for light, moderately, and heavily exuding wounds. A new addition to complement the Lyofoam range is Lyofoam Extra Adhesive. Lyofoam is a well established and clinically proven wound dressing.
Medicated and paste-impregnated bandages have been used by healthcare professionals for many years, especially in the management of problem skin surrounding leg ulcers. This article examines the range of bandages and the indications for use as well as the role of zinc in wound healing.
Wound cleansing is performed on a regular basis by many healthcare professionals. However, the modern concept of cleansing has not always been a priority in wound management. There are many questions which challenge those responsible for cleaning wounds such as how often a wound should be cleaned and which techniques should be used. This article begins with a brief guide to wound cleansing and then focuses on the new Steripod normal saline produced by SSL International.
Algosteril is a new alginate dressing manufactured by Les Laboratoires BROTHIER and distributed by Beiersdorf Medical. It is a natural, pure, non-woven dressing made from calcium alginate fibres. It complements other products in the Beiersdorf wound care family such as Cutinova, Cutifilm and Cutisorb. Algosteril rapidly absorbs and retains wound fluid to form an integral gellified structure, thereby maintaining an ideal moist wound healing environment. It traps and immobilizes pathogenic bacteria in the network of gellified fibres, stimulates macrophage activity and activates platelets, resulting in haemostasis and accelerated wound healing.
The RCN Institute, the Centre for Evidence-based Nursing, and the University of York have recently produced guidelines on the management of patients with venous leg ulcers. These guidelines make recommendations with regard to assessment, compression therapy, cleansing, debridement, dressings, contact sensitivity, training/education and quality assurance (Cullum et al, 1998). They are evidence-based (Effective Health Care Bulletin, 1997), have been informed by expert opinion and are reflective of current good clinical practice. It is envisaged that they will be updated every 2 years. This article provides an outline of these guidelines. However, healthcare professionals must note that guidelines can simplify clinical decision making and this must be acknowledged when the guidelines' recommendations for practice are being implemented.
This article describes the Nightingale Smart Bed, a unique three-sectional automatic profiling system from Nightingale Care Beds. It is a two-in-one system in that it aids in the prevention and management of pressure sores while also helping nursing staff to move and handle patients. It maintains patients' independence, dignity and comfort and provides an alternative to alternating-pressure systems.
Hydrocolloid dressings remain as popular today as when they were first developed in the early 1960s (Williams, 1994). The reason for this is that they provide a convenient and cost-effective treatment option for those who deal with the management of chronic wounds such as pressure sores and leg ulcers. This article examines Tegasorb Thin from 3M and shows how it can create the optimal moist wound healing environment.
The management of venous leg ulcers is an important issue for many healthcare professionals. However, the care and management does not stop when the ulcer has healed. Prevention of recurrence and lifelong compression is an important issue that is often neglected. This article reviews the anatomy and physiology of the venous system, investigates the causes of venous leg ulcers and describes the principles of graduated compression. Compression hosiery and its role in the treatment of varicose veins is also looked at as well as deep vein thrombosis and preventing recurrence of the venous leg ulcer.
The potential for charcoal cloth in wound management relates to its well demonstrated ability to adsorb small gas molecules. Charcoal has become increasingly used to contain odour and is especially useful in the management of fungating lesions. This article looks at CliniSorb activated charcoal odour control dressing (distributed by CliniMed) and describes its construction, action and place in wound management.
Pressure ulcer prevention in the seated patient is a neglected area. The early rehabilitation of bed-bound patients has reinforced the need for suitable seating to compliment pressure-reducing mattresses. Medical Support Systems has developed a hospital chair, the Flo-tech Adjuster, which addresses the problems of both pressure ulcer prevention and manual handling. The launch of the Flo-tech Adjuster has followed many years of research and constant refinement and improvement, and has filled a gap in the market for pressure-relieving devices.
After the removal of a dressing from a wound, wound cleansing is often the first action to be taken by the nurse. Saline or tap water is often used to loosen the dressing and therefore help to remove it. It can also be used for the subsequent cleansing of the wound if required. B/Braun Medical has a range of modern wound care products for all healing phases of acute and chronic wounds and this article will look at their saline range.
Wound measurement can be made as simple or as complex as time allows, but there is no doubt that wound measurement is required in some degree as part of the patient documentation process. To help assess the progress of wound healing, BES Rehab Ltd is distributing the Verge Videometer (VeV), a wound tracking system which can be used for precise wound measurement, tracking and documentation. The VeV is suitable for use in hospitals, outpatient clinics and in the community as well as being useful for those conducting research into wound progression.
Selecting the correct dressing for a wound can be complicated as there are so many products from which to choose. The selection process is made easier once the healthcare professional has performed a holistic assessment. This article discusses some of the principles of wound management and the efficacy of Askina Transorbent and Askina Biofilm, two new products from B/Braun. Both of these maintain the moist environment required for optimum wound healing to take place.
Managing wound malodour is one of the most difficult challenges facing healthcare professionals. This article looks at the causes of wound odour, methods of assessment and strategies for management. It examines the structure of CarboFlex odour control dressing manufactured by ConvaTec, its indications for use, application technique and the research that demonstrates its ability to adsorb odour and absorb exudate.
Management of venous leg ulcers account for a large proportion of the work of healthcare professionals, especially for those who are community based. Multilayer and long-stretch bandage systems have been used successfully for many years in venous leg ulcer management. Rosidal K, a short-stretch bandage, is now also becoming more widely accepted in this country as an effective and cost-effective bandage system. This product focus looks at bandage systems and examines the research supporting the use of short-stretch bandages and Rosidal K.
Maintaining healthy intact skin is an important issue for many healthcare professions. Elderly patients are at particular risk from damage by moisture and mechanical forces such as pressure, friction and shear because of age-related skin changes. This product focus looks at the skin and describes the changes that occur in the older person. It also describes the second product in the 3M Health Care skin care range, Cavilon Durable Barrier Cream. This product follows on from and complements the success of Cavilon No Sting Barrier Film.