I have a patient who had a failed mesh placement and a panniculectomy and who has developed at least three separate fistulas with a very large amount of output (3-4 L/24 hrs). Any suggestions? I am using an Eakin wound management pouch hooked up to wall suction.
Special to OWM
The Genesis of the 1st International Symposium on Pediatric Wound Care (ISPeW) and The International Society of Pediatric Wound Care
- Fri, 1/13/12 - 4:29pm
- 0 Comments
- 289 reads
Index: Ostomy Wound Manage. 2012;58(1):36-40
To view and to treat pediatric patients with wounds as though they are small adults is to ignore the very essence of vulnerability, potential for congenital malformations, and tenacious physiologic complexities that make these patients unique. The integumentary, physiology, psychomotor, cognitive, and psychoemotional developmental continuum that encompasses “pediatrics” from prematurity to late adolescence underscores this population’s unique characteristics, the breadth of knowledge and sensitivity required of clinicians, and the armamentarium of treatment approaches needed.
The world of healthcare can be a daunting environment for adults, stripping them of control and invoking fear and feelings of helplessness. Imagine the infused emotions of parents who must entrust their wounded child into the world of medical technology. As healthcare professionals, we must impart to frightened families and to their wounded child our sensitivity and humanity with finesse, while also possessing technological skill. But how prepared are we to deliver evidence-based care to wounds of varying etiologies? Most of our wound care practices are based on an adult model of care; to take care of our younger patients, we must compromise with offlabel use of adult products. Even from an epidemiological standpoint, chronic wounds such as pressure ulcers are inadequately captured, because the adult data collection tools and methodologies utilized ignore the >50% occurrence of medical device-related injuries common to the population. Independent of race, ethnicity, and social class, acute and chronic wounds, as well as wounds related to diseases, continue to be the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children worldwide.
Half-million Dollar Project to Establish Wound Care Evidence Base
- Sun, 10/9/11 - 9:50am
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- 279 reads
What is and isn’t known about wound care? What approaches and products are effective?
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) awarded the Johns Hopkins Evidence-based Practice Center, the John Hopkins Wound Center at Bayview, almost $500,000 to find out.
The 1-year project will comprise comparative effectiveness research in an evidence-based assessment of the benefits and risks of various wound care treatment options focused on chronic venous ulcers. The study is under the direction of co-principal investigators Gerald Lazarus, MD, Bayview wound center founder, Jonathan Zenilman, MD, the center’s newly appointed director, and Eric Bass, MD, MPH, Director of the Evidence-based Practice Center. Johns Hopkins researchers, with contributions from key clinical opinion leaders, will compile and analyze all available evidence from existing relevant literature to determine the therapeutic value of interventions for healing chronic wounds. The goal of this analysis is to define general truths regarding the current state of knowledge and ultimately to instruct the medical establishment on how to approach ulcer healing using dressings, antimicrobials, and surgery relevant not only to venous ulcers, but also to all types of ulcers. A three-part report of the findings is forthcoming.
Special to OWM: Clinicians Speak Out: Innovations in Products and Practice
- Tue, 7/12/11 - 3:23pm
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- 1864 reads
Ostomy Wound Management invited its Editorial Board members to voice their opinions on what have been the most important recent (past 5 to 10 years) clinical innovations and observations in the wound, ostomy, and continence healthcare niche. Their insights reflect years of experience and enthusiasm for adapting to change, a concept clinicians often are accused of avoiding. Not only are these practitioners keeping up with advancing technology, redefined approaches, and increasing regulatory/legislative directives, but they also are incorporating, indeed thriving on, enhanced options and their ability to provide better care. The editors thank the respondents and encourage readers to dialogue at www.o-wm.com.
Exploring Emerging Trends in Wound Care
- Fri, 4/8/11 - 2:49pm
- 0 Comments
- 1181 reads
Underscoring the evolution of wound care as a distinct medical specialty, manufacturers are looking to design and market patient-centered, best practice-based products that address clinical and fiscal concerns. One area of concern is pressure ulcer prevention and treatment — a high priority in terms of a growing population of elderly and increasingly stringent reimbursement regulations. In response, support surface nomenclature and innovation, for example, garnered a great deal of attention at the recent National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel conference.
Silver wound dressings: a topical issue
- Thu, 6/17/10 - 3:43pm
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- 462 reads
A recent report in the Drugs and Therapeutics Bulletin argued that the routine use of silver dressings for wounds is not cost-effective. Professor Richard White of the University of Worcester and the professional association Wound Care Alliance UK argues that this medical devaluation of silver is potentially dangerous.
KCI Donates Medical Supplies to Aid Haitian Earthquake Victims
- Tue, 2/2/10 - 10:46am
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- 1597 reads
Ostomy Wound Management recently had the chance to talk with Kinetic Concepts, Inc.’s ([KCI] San Antonio, Texas) spokesperson Katie Gaultney to learn about her company’s efforts to provide much-needed medical supplies and aid to Haitian earthquake victims.
OWM: Mrs. Gaultney, describe KCI’s efforts on behalf of Haitian earthquake victims.
KG: As a company whose mission is to create products that help and heal those in critical need, KCI saw the opportunity to provide medical supplies as a duty to step up to the plate as the crisis in H
The Future of Wound Care Diagnostics: Biomarkers
- Mon, 9/14/09 - 1:11pm
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- 2958 reads
Wound healing is influenced by a combination of well-documented environmental and biological factors that have an impact on patient recovery. Currently, no effective diagnostic tools to assess the critical biologic activities or impairments within the wound that, in turn, may direct clinicians to the most appropriate and cost effective wound treatment protocols exist — treatment protocols designed to address wound healing range in effectiveness and are not based on the biologic activity of each unique wound. In many cases, wound care practitioners feel as if they are flip
Reporting from Cairo: The 2008 ICS Meeting
- Fri, 12/5/08 - 11:26am
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- 1530 reads
Problems associated with diagnosing and treating bladder and bowel control symptoms and related pelvic floor disorders continue to receive increasing attention globally by healthcare providers. In October 2008, the 38th Annual Meeting of the International Continence Society (ICS) was held in Cairo, Egypt, where 128 abstracts were formally presented. As a member of the ICS, the NAFC actively participates in the workshops of its annual scientific meetings and its Continence Promotion Committee. Given the fact that incontinence was referenced as a medical condition in some of the earliest written records of human history, it was fitting for the ICS to meet on the soil of ancient civilization. Ostomy Wound Management is pleased to provide highlights from the meeting.
The Cochrane Collaboration
- Wed, 9/3/08 - 10:25am
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- 4410 reads
Intermittent pneumatic compression for treating venous leg ulcers (Cochrane Review Abstract)
R Mani, K Vowden, and EA Nelson
Background: Intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) is a mechanical method of delivering compression to swollen limbs. This technique has been used to treat venous leg ulcers and limb swelling due to lymphedema. The effectiveness of IPC and the appropriate duration and frequency of IPC therapy are unknown, as are the differences between various types of IPC. This review analyses the evidence for the effectiveness of IPC as a treatment
CAWC Abstracts
- Wed, 9/3/08 - 10:25am
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- 2902 reads
Index: Ostomy Wound Manage 2001;47(11):44–51
The 7th Annual Conference of the Canadian Association of Wound Care met in London, Ontario, November 1 through 3. The focus of the conference was "The Many Faces of Wound Caring: Interdisciplinary Teams Providing Patient-Centered Care." Ostomy/Wound Management is fortunate to have received a number of rigorously reviewed abstracts presented at CAWC that illustrate the breadth and depth of research relevant to wound care. These abstracts were selected for publication by an interdisciplinary abstract review committee comprising a total of seven of the authors' peers. An equal number of abstracts were selected from oral and poster presentations. In publishing these abstracts, the editors hope to increase attention to the issues they address, expedite necessary changes to care protocols, and stimulate further research efforts among clinicians who may take the value of their day-to-day accumulation of knowledge for granted.
