Volume 20 - Issue 9 - September, 2008
Objective Analysis of Heterologous Collagen Efficacy in Hard-To-Heal Venous Leg Ulcers
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Abstract: Introduction. Collagen plays a major role in tissue repair and is a valid option for the treatment of chronic and acute wounds. Collagen speeds fibroblast deposition inside the extracellular matrix and stimulates angiogenesis, granulation tissue formation, and remodeling. Evaluation of the efficacy of wound treatment can be made by noninvasive, objective instrumental assessment. Materials and Methods. Forty-six patients with venous leg ulcers were enrolled into the study. The ulcers showed no clinical signs of healing over the course of 6 weeks despite standard tr
Skin Measurement
- Tue, 9/23/08 - 2:32pm
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In recent years, exciting advances have been made regarding both wound bed and surrounding skin measurement. We are just beginning to quantify, characterize, and measure different aspects of chronic wounds and pathophysiology that occur in what we perceive as normal tissue repair. Areas with substantial progress include new imaging technologies, biochemical assessment of the wound bed, and physical measurement of surrounding skin. The use of new devices, which range from sophisticated and highly-engineered technologies to the scientific evaluation of wound assessment has pa
Mycologic Evaluations in Chronic Leg Ulcers
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Abstract: Background. Thus far, the role of fungi in superinfection of chronic leg ulcers has been poorly studied. Many articles are based on either a small number of patients or single cases. Furthermore, the study conclusions are conflicting. Objective. The objective of this study was to evaluate the percentage of mycotic superinfections and their clinical importance in chronic leg ulcers. Methods. A group of 149 consecutive patients without diabetes was subjected to mycologic examination of the ulcers. Two specimens were obtained from each ulcer. Results. Mycologic e
Instrumental Evaluation of the Protective Effects of a Barrier Film on Surrounding Skin in Chronic Wounds
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Abstract: Objective. This study investigated the effects of Cavilon® No Sting Barrier Film ([NSBF], 3M Healthcare, St. Paul, Minn) on skin surrounding chronic wounds by means of monitoring transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Methods. Forty patients were examined; 20 patients had pressure ulcers and the other 20 patients had venous leg ulcers. The patients were divided into 2 groups, the first group (treatment group) was treated with NSBF and the second group (control group) was treated with zinc oxide ointment applied to surrounding skin. TEWL values on surrounding skin w
Clinical Evaluation of a Wound Measurement and Documentation System
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Abstract: Wound measurement is essential in assessing the progress of wound healing. The most commonly used tools include wound tracings, width and length measurements, and digital photography. These methods have been useful in clinical practice but have some limitations, such as lack of accuracy, difficulty of use, and often entail wound contact. More advanced equipment tends to be bulky, heavy, and expensive. The following reviews the authors’ experience with a new wound measurement and documentation system, the ARANZ Medical Silhouette Mobile™ (ARANZ Medical, Christc
Editorial Message
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Scintillate, scintillate, globule vivific, Fain would I fathom thy nature specific. Loftily poised in the ether capacious, Strongly resembling a gem carbonaceous.
Dear Readers,
I am sure you recognize the familiar quotation above, don’t you? Words are very powerful tools we use every day to communicate thoughts, feelings, and ideas with others. Our experiences, professions, and interests can cause certain words to take on meanings to us that others may neither recognize nor comprehend. Even worse, people might completely misunderstand what is being said. A
New Opportunities to Improve Pressure Ulcer Prevention and Treatment
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Implications of the CMS Inpatient Hospital Care Present on Admission (POA) Indicators/Hospital-Acquired Conditions (HAC) Policy
A Consensus Paper From the International Expert Wound Care Advisory Panel
As part of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) initially identified eight preventable adverse events on August 1, 2007, with nine more conditions proposed on April 14, 2008. 1,2 They have introduced a plan to help contain costs by rejecting payment of the higher diagnostic
Industry News
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RF Technologies® Help Healthcare Providers Avoid Preventable Injuries
RF Technologies® (Brookfield, Wis) is partnering with healthcare providers throughout the country in an effort to assist with compliance of the new Medicare regulations that go into effect October 1, 2008. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) placed a mandate that healthcare providers will not be eligible for reimbursement of expenses related to preventable hospital injuries. CMS will also bar providers from directly billing patients for expenses related to such injuries.
Pressure ulcers and i
Product News
- Tue, 9/23/08 - 4:20pm
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Mölnlycke Health Care Adds Products to Wound Care Portfolio
Mölnlycke Health Care (Norcross, Ga) announced the addition of several new products to its current line of advanced wound care products. The company, known previously as the manufacturer of Lyofoam® Foam Dressings, Setopress™ High Compression Bandages, and the Tubigrip™ family of Compression Bandages distributed by ConvaTec (Princeton, NJ) in the United States, was recently afforded the opportunity to add these products to its wound care portfolio.
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