Is Integra A Synthetic Wound Dressing?

Over the last century, registered nurses' participation in wound management has actually varied from that of following rigorous dressing routines to autonomous practice (Moore, 1997). In the past, nurse education frequently enhanced the overall results at the time. An adherence to apprenticeship-style learning, where registered nurses frequently had minimal knowledge of the results of the dressing they were putting on a wound, contributed considerably to a theory-practice space or gap of research in wound management. Registered nurses were not actively associated with the decision-making procedure (Madsen, 1999).

In addition to identification and prevention, there are products that can be used in order to prevent occurrence of HAPUs. The purpose of this project is to implement use of foam dressing called Mepilex Border proven to help prevent pressure ulcers when used in addition to the prevention protocols by redistributing pressure, reducing friction, and providing an optimal microclimate. It combines antimicrobial action of ionic silver with soft silicone adhesive providing healing and reduced pain (Barrett, 2009). Mepilex dressing can be repositioned after skin assessment making it easy to assess the wounds without need for reapplying new dressing after each assessment.

The main outcome measures were the percent area of the wound compared to baseline area of the wound. As the wound decreased in size it is theoretically assumed that the wound is healing. The central concepts of the study were based on ultraviolet-C positive effects on wound healing in vitro. In vitro studies effects include; modification of growth factors, fibronectin release from fibroblast, epidermal cell proliferation, killing of pathogens, accelerated DNA synthesis, and antibiotic-resistant organisms.

Wound healing is a complex and dynamic process, therefore, proper wound care is crucial in minimizing further infection and optimizing healing. Wound management is an integral part of nurses’ knowledge base. However, as advancements continue to be made, dressings have become very specific, varying for each type of wound. Having access to up-to-date resources is critical in helping provide proper and accurate care to patients.

Merlin-Manton et al. (2015) explored a new foam adhesive dressing, UrgoTul Absorb Border (Urgo Medical), which is effective in promoting fast wound healing (Merlin-Manton et al., 2015). The researchers claims that what differentiates UrgoTul Absorb Border from other foam dressings is that it allows for there to be an interaction between the technology lipido-colloid (TLC) and wound bed. This new wound dressing increases fibroblast proliferation by 45% and provides a pain-free dressing change, easy to apply, comfortable, and the dressing remains in place (Merlin-Manton et al., 2009). This observational study consisted of an independent variable, which is the parameters, and a dependent variable, which is the rating of the performance. This research consisted of a sample size of this study was initially 25 patient’s, however, it drop down to 23. This sample was selected from acute hospital wards, outpatient departments, wound care clinics, and the patients own home. Prior to being selected the patient’s wound were assessed by a viability nurse to assess if the selection criteria, wound location, and wound aetiology. The data was collected over a 6-month period and all of the participants received at least 6 wound dressings during a 5-week period. The dressing performance and patients parameters were measured using a interval type of data set

Skin substitutes have important roles in the treatment of deep dermal and full thickness wounds of various aetiologies. At present, there is no ideal substitute in the market. Skin substitutes can be divided into two main classes, namely, biological and synthetic substitutes. The biological skin substitutes have a more intact extracellular matrix structure, while the synthetic skin substitutes can be synthesised on demand and can be modulated for specific purposes. Each class has its advantages and disadvantages. The biological skin substitutes may allow the construction of a more natural new dermis and allow excellent re-epithelialization characteristics due to the presence of a basement membrane. Synthetic skin substitutes demonstrate the advantages of increase control over scaffold composition. The ultimate goal is to achieve an ideal skin substitute that provides an effective and scar-free wound healing. These skin substitutes which act temporarily like skin, have the advantages of being relatively abundant in supply and not expensive. While the synthetic skin substitutes can be synthesised on demand and can be modulated for specific purposes with increased control over scaffold composition, the biological skin substitutes have a more intact and native ECM structure which may allow the construction of a more natural new dermis. They

There has always been a need for constant innovation in the healthcare industry. A novel invention at its inception, the liquid bandage is “a colorless adherent material that can be sprayed or painted directly on a wound.” They work by sealing off the affected area from the outside until it has fully healed, when it slips off. The time it takes for healing or time it takes before slipping off depends on the type or make of the liquid bandage. The key advantage of the liquid bandage is the ability to apply the product in situations where traditional bandages have been proven ineffective and lackluster, such as on rough parts of the body or under water. However, this innovation has not resulted in plastic or paper bandages being considered as

There is a growing need for the education of healthcare workers, for them to efficiently cover and treat wounds and prevent contamination. Thus, there should be an evidenced approach in evaluating differences in the approach of treatment that medical practitioners use in various spheres. For this, it is important to examine some evidences on the different treatment of wounds that are being used nowadays in healthcare. This is crucial for medical practitioner training, while providing opportunity for developing proficiencies with regards to proper wound care, which may avert undesired patient outcomes in hospitals.

Elastin is the one of the key components in the elastic property of tissues found in human tissues such as arteries, lungs, and elastic cartilage to name a few (Jacob, Sauvage, Osbourne 1). Elastin is mainly composed of amino acids glycine and proline, which are hydrophobic and are combined with lysine residues in crosslinks (NCBI 1). It plays a fundamental role in the recoil of tissues after being stretched, which is critical in maintaining the cells health (Weiss 1). Thirty percent of the dry weight of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in arteries is comprised of the protein elastin, hence, making it an essential part of human tissue (Krettek, Sukhova, Libby 1). Elastin can be found abundantly in the dermis of the skin, the arterial walls, the pulmonary tissues, which helps with the expansion of the lungs upon breathing and the recoil upon exhaling (Krettek, Sukhova, Libby 1). Elastin in the skin is elastic tissue intertwined with other components in the dermis through fibers that are interconnected (Krettek, Sukhova, Libby 1). The skin is dense with elastic tissue, which allows for the

Polycaprolactone (PLC) displays desirable physicochemical, mechanical and thermal and degradation properties relative to other polymers rendering it ideal for dressing woulds over skin creases (Moroder et al., 2010). Specifically, PLC membranes are highly hydrpophobic and thus provide an impressive collection of exudates beneath the wound dressing. PLC membranes essentially create a moist environment on the surface of the wound which enhances its diffusivity. Its hydrophobic capacity also renders it an ideal material for dressing dessicated wounds and those with low-exudate production. This property also enhances the diffusion of growth factors, cell migration, and enzymes required to facilitate wound healing. PLC

The skin or integument part of a human is complex in a way that it has many parts that works together, the skin of a human is composed of layers which are the Stratum basale, lucidum, spinosum,granulosum and corneum and this layers shows that the skin is complex in a way that they have different works/function.

The extrafibrillar matrix includes a ground substance (glycosaminoglycans), dermal fibroblasts, dendritic cells, mast cells, histiocytes, blood vessels, nerves, and lymphatics [85]. Ground substance is a gelatinous amorphous substance of sugar and proteins (glycoproteins and proteoglycans) that is observed between the fibres and between the cells. It provides support to the dermis and has an extraordinary capacity to store water. Moreover, it facilitates the passage of nutrients, hormones, and other molecules through the dermis [72, 73].

In spitefulness of technological advances that have been made in wound organization, wound contamination has been regarded as the most common nosocomial disease (Dionigi et al., 2001; Iroha et al., 2008). wound is a break in the skin and the exposure of subcutaneous tissue subsequent loss of skin integrity which provides a moist, warm, and nutritive atmosphere that is favorable to microbial colonization and proliferation

American Red Cross Holland Laboratory, Rockville, MD) consists of higher concentrations of human fibrinogen, human thrombin and calcium chloride affixed in a mesh. These agents were in increasingly used at the end of World War II but fell out and were consequently abandoned due to the transmission of hepatitis. It was re-visited again in the early 1990s by the US Army and the Red Cross to assist in hemostasis. Although not approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, it was used under an investigational drug protocol by US forces in Iraq and Afghanistan and has proven to be successful in combat because of its simple application, stability, and bio absorbability

However, there are certain characteristics that are highly desirable. An ideal suture material should be easy to handle; secure knotting; have predictable tensile strength and performance; be sterile; should not shrink in the tissues; should pull through tissues easily; be non-electrolytic, non-capillary, non-allergenic, and non-carcinogenic; should not promote tissue reaction or infection; and be inexpensive. None of the suture materials available fulfils all the criteria. Moreover, certain procedures request specific requirements upon suture material (e.g. gastric anastomoses require an absorbable suture material while vascular anastomoses require a smooth, non-absorbable material). Thus, in closing any wound, the suture material and method of suturing must be chosen so that the desired objective is achieved effectively[2].