Bedbugs and consultants are bleeding us dry
Wound care nurses
News and practice for wound care and tissue viability nurses
Latest news for wound care nurses
Cannabis 'cuts pain' from damaged nerves
Smoking cannabis from a pipe can significantly reduce chronic pain in patients with damaged nerves, a study has shown.
Podiatrists 'can prevent amputation'
People with diabetes can reduce their chances of needing amputations by 15% if they are treated by podiatrists, according to US research.
Pressure ulcer risk higher among schizophrenia patients
People with schizophrenia are more likely to suffer from hospital-related injuries during admission than other patients, a large scale US study has found.
Silicone sheet may improve wound healing
A mouldable silicone sheet may encourage healing and reduce redness, itching and discomfort associated with a postoperative wound.
Zero tolerance for pressure ulcers urged
The National Patient Safety Agency is urging NHS organisations across England and Wales to adopt a zero tolerance approach to pressure ulcers.
Tracheostomy care
Guided learning
Skin assessment in dark pigmented skin: a challenge in pressure ulcer prevention
The classic signs of skin damage are different in Caucasian and dark pigmented skin. Advice on how to identify pressure ulcers in dark skin is provided
After death 1: caring for bereaved relatives and being aware of cultural differences
Nurses are ideally placed to perform last offices for patients who are deceased and care for their bereaved relatives. Cultural awareness and sensitivity is vital
Behind the headlines
'Grapefruit diabetes cure' unproven
The Daily Mirror today hails grapefruit as a “fruity ‘cure’ for diabetes”. The newspaper suggests that the chemical naringenin found in the fruit “can do the same job as two drugs used to treat type-2 diabetes”.
Fatty food and long-term weight gain
A moment on the lips really does mean a lifetime on the hips,” says the Daily Mail. The newspaper suggests that even short periods of overeating “could cause the waistline to bulge years later”.
Migraine with aura linked to heart risk
“People who suffer from a severe form of migraine are more likely to die of heart disease and strokes,” reported The Daily Telegraph.
Case studies
Innovations
The high impact actions for nursing and midwifery 4: your skin matters
Pressure ulcers are a major sickness burden, and cause reduced quality of life for patients. The high impact team reveal how to prevent avoidable skin damage
Practice comment
Moving to an all graduate profession is a necessity
Controversy continues to rage over nursing as a graduate entry profession, but this move is a necessity to deliver healthcare in the 21st century, says Sue Bernhauser
Practice questions
If a wound is infected with anaerobic bacteria, are there specific dressings that should not be used?
Nursing practice often involves undertaking procedures about which there is debate or uncertainty. In Practice Question we ask experts to determine how nurses should approach these situations
Wound care blog
'All we need are some trained Haitian nurses'
Nursing Times’ resident Haiti-based nurse Fi Stephenson on how the survivors of the Haiti earthquake are rebuilding thier lives.
Join the debate
Analysis
More nurses equals better care
A week after a healthcare watchdog identified staffing shortages as a key reason for failings at an acute trust, Nursing Times has obtained new evidence confirming a direct correlation between patient outcomes and nursing workforce numbers. Steve Ford investigates
Evidence-based practice
Reviewing the evidence for selecting cleansing fluids for pressure ulcers
There is a lack of evidence to guide nurses on the selection of fluids for cleansing pressure ulcers
Nursing practice, clinical research
To what extent can pressure relieving surfaces help reduce the costs of pressure ulcers?
Pressure ulcers are costly for both healthcare budgets and individual patients. This case study estimated the likely savings from using pressure relieving surfaces
Skin assessment in dark pigmented skin: a challenge in pressure ulcer prevention
The classic signs of skin damage are different in Caucasian and dark pigmented skin. Advice on how to identify pressure ulcers in dark skin is provided
The high impact actions for nursing and midwifery 4: your skin matters
Pressure ulcers are a major sickness burden, and cause reduced quality of life for patients. The high impact team reveal how to prevent avoidable skin damage
After death 1: caring for bereaved relatives and being aware of cultural differences
Nurses are ideally placed to perform last offices for patients who are deceased and care for their bereaved relatives. Cultural awareness and sensitivity is vital
What are the risk factors for soft tissue abscess development among injecting drug users?
Drug users who inject are at high risk of developing soft tissue abscesses. Nurses need to incorporate safer injecting advice into their interactions with clients
