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.
Pearls for Practice
Peristomal Skin and Ostomy Care
- Fri, 10/7/11 - 5:01pm
- 0 Comments
- 868 reads
A stoma is an opening and an ostomy is a surgically created opening, either temporary or permanent, used to divert the flow of stool or urine. A pouch collects the urine or stool and has a solid skin barrier, also referred to as a wafer, that adheres the pouch to the peristomal skin. Peristomal skin, the skin surrounding a stoma, is an important part of ostomy care. The ostomy pouching system’s adherence is dependent on healthy, dry, intact peristomal skin and a properly fitted pouch.
Pearls for Practice: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) and Heel Ulcers
- Thu, 9/8/11 - 9:48am
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- 827 reads
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) increases the ability of the blood to carry and deliver oxygen to the tissues. Patients receiving HBOT breathe 100% oxygen while under increased atmospheric pressure, much like scuba diving. HBOT is provided in a pressurized (usually cylindrical) chamber that measures approximately 3 feet x 7 feet (or slightly wider) in a 100% oxygen environment. HBOT also may be provided in a room large enough to hold multiple people sitting in chairs; this multiperson chamber is pressurized with room air and each patient breathes 100% oxygen through a hood mask.
Pearls for Practice: Cellulitis and Wound Management
- Thu, 8/4/11 - 7:33pm
- 0 Comments
- 1434 reads
Pearls for Practice is made possible through the support of Ferris Mfg. Corp, Burr Ridge, IL (www.polymem.com). The opinions and statements of the clinicians providing Pearls for Practice are specific to the respective authors and are not necessarily those of Ferris Mfg. Corp., OWM, or HMP Communications. This article was not subject to the Ostomy Wound Management peer-review process.
Pearls for Practice: Protecting the Skin from Moisture
- Tue, 7/12/11 - 12:20pm
- 0 Comments
- 1324 reads
Pearls for Practice is made possible through the support of Ferris Mfg. Corp, Burr Ridge, IL (www.polymem.com). The opinions and statements of the clinicians providing Pearls for Practice are specific to the respective authors and are not necessarily those of Ferris Mfg. Corp., OWM, or HMP Communications. This article was not subject to the Ostomy Wound Management peer-review process.
Pearls for Practice: Tube Site Care
- Mon, 6/6/11 - 12:39pm
- 0 Comments
- 1964 reads
Enteral feeding tubes have become commonplace at facilities caring for pediatric patients who have swallowing disorders or digestion problems. Among the many tubes available, the three main types are balloon tip, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG), and low-profile gastrostomy tube (G/T).
Pearls for Practice: Preventing Stage I Pressure Ulcers
- Fri, 5/6/11 - 11:27am
- 0 Comments
- 1637 reads
Pearls for Practice is made possible through the support of Ferris Mfg. Corp, Burr Ridge, IL (www.polymem.com). The opinions and statements of the clinicians providing Pearls for Practice are specific to the respective authors and are not necessarily those of Ferris Mfg. Corp., OWM, or HMP Communications. This article was not subject to the Ostomy Wound Management peer-review process.
Pearls for Practice: Moist Wound Healing
- Fri, 4/8/11 - 4:19pm
- 0 Comments
- 1755 reads
Moisture is a key component for keeping every cell in the body alive and functioning. The concept moist wound healing originated in 1962 when George Winter discovered that epithelialization would proceed twice as fast in a moist environment as under a scab.
Pearls for Practice: Skin Tears: Keeping It Together
- Fri, 3/4/11 - 5:39pm
- 0 Comments
- 2868 reads
Skin tears are traumatic wounds caused by a separation of the epidermis and dermis. These two skin layers are joined together by a wave-like basement membrane that prevents sliding. As the skin ages, this membrane flattens, allowing the skin to slip back and forth and increasing its vulnerability to external forces. Aging skin also is compromised by decreased elasticity, decreased collagen and sebaceous gland function, and adipose tissue loss.
Pearls for Practice: Managing Diabetic Foot Wounds in Home Health Patients
- Tue, 2/8/11 - 2:18pm
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- 2375 reads
The goal of home care is to return clients to independence within their maximum health status; therefore, the home health nurse focuses on teaching the patient or caregivers how to manage the medical condition, perform dressing changes, and monitor healing.
Pearls for Practice: Successful Steps to Managing Burn Wounds
- Mon, 1/10/11 - 5:28pm
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- 2017 reads
Burn injuries can be extremely painful and carry a risk of infection. The following considerations often help improve outcomes for your burn patient.
Premedicate your patient for pain before providing burn care. Depending on the extent of the pain, your patient may need IV analgesia.
