blog
Skip to main content
Your Cart is Empty
Your Cart is Empty

Rx Pad

Improving the Health of Your Clinical Practice
May
23

Tip Tuesday: Goal-Directed Wound Care & Dressing Selection

Tip Tuesday: Goal-Directed Wound Care & Dressing Selection

Determining the best interventions, including dressing selection, for patients and their wounds requires looking at the situation holistically. Creating the treatment plan for a chronic wound is dependent upon many diverse patient, wound, economic, and social considerations. The dressing selection goes beyond simply choosing a product to cover the wound. Detailed assessments of the patient and wound should drive the components of goal-directed wound care. The health-care provider must determine the etiology of the wound, patient comorbidities that may impair the wound healing processes (e.g. diabetes and blood glucose levels), nutrition/hydration status, systemic and local tissue oxygenation, and patient/family concerns such as pain and odor issues. Each of these factors contributes to creating an individualized plan of care for choosing the most appropriate products and interventions.

Continue reading
  551 Hits
Apr
26

I. Measure: Best Practice for Wound Assessment

Wound Care Measure Best Practice for Wound Assessment

A consensus document by Keast et al. reviewed clinically useful wound measurement approaches. This evidence-based document provided an overview of principles and practice regarding chronic wound assessment in a simple mnemonic format. The text articulated effective management of a nonhealing wound based upon:

Continue reading
  924 Hits
Apr
19

Introduction to Wound Assessment

Wound-Care-Wednesday-Introduction to Wound Assessment

Various theories have been proposed to explain why some wounds become chronic and non-healing. Although the complete answer is not yet available, a great deal has been learned in recent years that sheds light on this phenomenon.

Continue reading
  879 Hits
Mar
27

INTERVENTIONS TO INCREASE BLOOD FLOW AND OXYGEN DELIVERY TO WOUNDS

INTERVENTIONS TO INCREASE BLOOD FLOW AND OXYGEN DELIVERY TO WOUNDS

Adequate wound perfusion and its delivery of oxygen to the healing tissues is fundamental to wound healing as just explained. Revascularization invariably is the first intervention considered to achieve this goal. Hyperbaric oxygen all too often is not considered in the management. In addition, other interventions can improve perfusion-oxygenation. These include edema reduction, improvement in cardiac function through medical management, and enhanced blood rheology using pharmacological methods. In contrast to the other four treatment strategies where typically a single technique is utilized, the methods to improve the perfusion-oxygenation strategy are complimentary, and typically two or more techniques are employed simultaneously.

Continue reading
  1176 Hits
Mar
20

OXYGEN REQUIREMENTS FOR WOUND HEALING AND INFECTION CONTROL (PART 2)

OXYGEN REQUIREMENTS FOR WOUND HEALING AND INFECTION CONTROL (PART 2)

The second source of information regarding perfusion-oxygen needs for wound healing arises from indirect information . It is obvious that markedly increased blood flow and oxygen availability are required to heal a wound and control infection.(19) Perfusion and oxygen requirements are minimal for noncritical tissues that do not have wounds or infections because they are in a steady-state, resting status. An example of this would be the feet of the patient with advanced peripheral artery disease. If a relatively minor wound occurs in one foot, healing may not occur, and a lower limb amputation becomes necessary. In contrast, in the opposite limb that does not have a wound, but perfusion is equally poor, the foot is not immediately at risk for an amputation.

Continue reading
  587 Hits
Mar
01

When To Use Advanced Wound Modalities

Wound-Care-Wednesday-1 March 2023

There are differing opinions regarding when to use advanced wound modalities. Many believe that advanced wound modalities should only be used when a wound fails to heal with standard wound management over some period of time, while some believe that advanced therapies should be used immediately on wounds that are identified to be potentially difficult to heal.(2-6) Most insurance carriers have specific guidelines that govern when they will allow use of advanced wound modalities.

Continue reading
  595 Hits
Feb
22

Decision Making For Dressing Product Selection

Wound-Care-Wednesday_22 FEB 2023

Dressing product selection is based on comprehensive assessments of the wound and the patient’s overall physiology. Determining whether a person’s body can support complete wound healing requires clinical skills and significant knowledge of the many barriers to healing, including which impediments can be influenced by the wound care team and which cannot. When making decisions for treatment, one should consider whether the wound has healing potential, is more likely maintenance wound, or has evolved to a non healable ulcer unable to garner the endogenous constituents needed for wound closure and healing.(12,16) For instance, a patient with end-stage cancer who has a Stage 4 infected pressure injury located on the sacrum may benefit from interventions aimed at pain and odor control, addressing the infection, support for activities of daily living, and other health-related quality-of-life issues addressed through a palliative care approach rather than aggressive debridement and advanced dressings looking at the end goal of wound closure.(16) In such a case, maintenance wound care would be more appropriate.

Continue reading
  1500 Hits

Copyright

© Wound Care Education Partners

Mar
16

Part 3: Evaluation and Management of the Diabetic Foot Ulcer - Classification of Diabetic Foot Ulcers, Other Wound Grading Systems

Evaluation and Management of the Diabetic Foot Ulcer - Classification of Diabetic Foot Ulcers

In this 3 - Part series, we're looking at the most commonly used classification scales currently in use to classify diabetic foot ulcers, including: 

Continue reading
  1979 Hits
Mar
04

Part 2: Evaluation and Management of the Diabetic Foot Ulcer - Classification of Diabetic Foot Ulcers, Wagner Grading System

Evaluation and management of the diabetic foot ulcer: Wagner grading system

There are many scales that attempt to classify diabetic foot ulcers, but few have been validated and none have demonstarated prognistic reliabilty or accuracy with regard to healing a DFU. Some scales focus on anatomy (depth of ulcer), some include vasular assessment, and others include the presence or absence of infection.

Continue reading
  2579 Hits
Mar
01

Part 3: Preparing the Patient for Wound Care

Part 3: Preparing the Patient for Wound Care

This is the third and final installment in the series about how to prepare your patient for wound care treatment.

Continue reading
  1544 Hits
Mar
01

Part 2: Preparing the Patient for Wound Care

Preparing The Patient For Wound Care

This is the second in the series about how to prepare your patient for wound care treatment. In Part 1 we covered Transfers, Patient Comfort, Pain Scales; if you missed Part 1, you can read it here 

Continue reading
  1587 Hits
Feb
26

Preparing the Patient for Wound Care (Part 1)

Part 1 Preparing the Patient for Wound Care

In this series we're going to breakdown the main techniques to comfort patients when preparing for wound care treatment. 

Continue reading
  1525 Hits
Nov
23

Black Friday Sale Is Open! (save on all wound care courses)

BF-Blog-post-2020

If you've been thinking of taking a training course to become certified in wound care (or need a refresher) - now is a great time to take action!

Continue reading
  1851 Hits
May
18

COVID-19 Information

COVID-19 Information as related to wound care and hyperbaric medicine COVID-19 Information as related to wound care and hyperbaric medicine

We have aggregrated information and resources for you that answer many questions and offer the latest knowledge, research, and treaments of COVID-19 as related to wound care and hyperbaric medicine.

Continue reading
  2541 Hits
Mar
24

Nationally Approved Livestream Courses Are Now Available for Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine Training

COVID-19 Plan To Continue Your Training in Hyperbaric Medicine and Wound Care

First, a huge and heartfelt thank you to all providers who have been called into action on the front lines of the COVID-19 response. Thank you. 

Continue reading
  7775 Hits
May
03

4 Reasons Why Some Wounds Become Chronic

Various theories have been proposed to explain why some wounds become chronic and nonhealing. Although the complete answer isnot yet available, a great deal has been learned in recent years that sheds light on this phenomenon.

Continue reading
  2559 Hits
Mar
26

Video Lesson: The Explosion of Chronic Wounds in the U.S.

This short video lesson taught by Dr. Michael White, MD, UHM, MMM, CWS discusses the explosion of chronic wounds within the U.S. and the opportunity for wound care and hyperbaric medicine clinics to serve more patients.

Click the image below to watch the video lesson

Screen Shot 2019 03 26 at 11.26.52 AM

Or use the following link to watch the video https://youtu.be/4H1rXuKZEEo

 

Learn more at the 2-day workshop hosted by Wound Care Education Partners, The Business of Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine

Find all details and registration information here https://woundeducationpartners.com/live-courses/upcoming-courses/the-business-of-wound-care-and-hyperbaric-medicine/300-the-business-of-wound-care-and-hyperbaric-medicine-planning-your-clinic-s-long-term-success-north-palm-beach-fl.html

Accreditation Statement: The Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society designates this live activity for a maximum of 16 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Continue reading
  2365 Hits
Feb
28

Problem Wounds - "E" Edema

Case study - Edema

History: This patient presents to the wound care clinic with a history of alcohol abuse, tobacco use, and congestive heart failure. Patient states that her legs are prone to swelling. 

Continue reading
  4417 Hits
Oct
16

Job Opening in Delaware - Physician - Wound Care - Full-time

PHYSICIAN - WOUND CARE (FT)

Continue reading
  2930 Hits
Aug
29

Wound Dressing Selection

Question: Patients present to the wound care practitioner in a myriad of ways, how does the practitioner decide how to manage the wound?

Continue reading
  3096 Hits
May
04

Update your practice with these cutting-edge wound care publications

Update your practice with these cutting-edge wound care publications

These texts provide you with the most up-to-date, cutting-edge information for your wound care practice.  

Continue reading
  5783 Hits

Copyright

© Wound Care Education Partners

Apr
25

The interdependent nature of lymphedema and integumentary dysfunction

Even though millions are affected by various forms of lymphedema worldwide, the existing literature fails to fully define the population-based prevalence, health outcomes, and treatment costs of this disorder.

Continue reading
  4225 Hits

Copyright

© Wound Care Education Partners

Jan
14

[Video] Debridement: Learn How, When, and Why

[Video] Debridement: Learn How, When, and Why

We have big news to share with you...

Continue reading
  6476 Hits

Copyright

© Wound Care Education Partners

Oct
29

Question: How should I manage a patient that has a low pre-Hyperbaric treatment blood sugar?

Ideally, an HBO program should have a detailed policy for the diabetic patient and the immediate steps that one should take to elevate the patient’s blood sugar. However, for the patient who has a recurring problem with blood sugars that are less than the recommended pretreatment level, there are several options. One option is to contact the managing physician and explain the need for relaxed glycemic control while receiving hyperbaric therapy.

Continue reading
  8945 Hits

Copyright

© Wound Care Education Partners

Jan
28

Wound Dressing Selection

Question: Patients present to the wound care practitioner in a myriad of ways, how does the practitioner decide how to manage the wound?

Continue reading
  16786 Hits

Copyright

© Wound Care Education Partners

Jan
22

Winter Weather: A Barrier to Treatment

Winter Weather: A Barrier To Treatment

Question: Each winter many hyperbaric oxygen therapy patients have difficulty getting to their scheduled treatments due to inclement weather. What recommendations do you have for helping keep patients' treatment schedules on track when the weather is a barrier to treatment?

Continue reading
  6593 Hits

Copyright

© Wound Care Education Partners