Smartphone Based Wound Assessment System For Diabetes Patients

Wound management is one of the cornerstones for nursing care however, effective wound care extends far beyond the application of the wound itself. Nurses may be required to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate wound care; therefore, order to fill these roles it’s critical to have an understanding of the several different areas of wound care such as, integumentary system, classification of wounds, wound procedures, and documentation. Knowledge in each of these areas will allow nurses to make well informed decisions about wound care, and as a result play an active part in wound healing.

Wagner- Meggitt’s classification scale was introduced in 1970s and widely accepted, universally used grading system for lesions and diabetic foot. The original scale has 6 grades of lesions. The first four grades (grade 0, 1, 2, & 3) are used on the physical depth of the lesion in and through the soft tissues of the foot. The last two grades (grade 4 & 5) are completely distinct because they are based on the extent of the gangrene and lost perfusion in the foot. Grade 4 refers to partial foot gangrene and grade 5 refers to completely gangrenous foot. In this study the scale is not much of useful because the grade 3, 4 and 5 are not come under inclusive criteria. For easy understanding there are only grade 1 and grade 2 are taken and most of

I have significantly developed my skill in wound care assessment and dressing, in developing this skill I now recognize the importance of documenting each dressing. Morison (2001) supports this in saying that by detailing pressure ulcer assessment it provides a basis for deciding the effectiveness of the current treatment.

People with diabetes also have a higher risk of developing foot ulcers that can take weeks or months to heal. Food choices and nutritional status influence wound healing since serious wounds increase the energy, vitamin, mineral and protein requirements necessary to promote healing. Most things can help your blood clot and you serious sores or cuts heal, When you have like a smell or oder example: a skunk you wash you body in tomato sauce to get the smell to fade away . When you want your teeth to grow strong or eyes to be clear you can eat certain thing to help them get stronger that's exactly how you can clear your skin from sores bumps and ect.

Jane presented with a wound to her lower left leg which, following a holistic assessment (appendix 2), was diagnosed as a venous leg ulcer. The assessment was conducted in accordance with Local PCT Leg Ulcer Guidelines (appendix 3) as well as RCN Guidelines (RCN 2006) to rule out other possible aetiology such as arterial ulceration, diabetes or malignancy (Moloney and Grace 2004). Although traditionally considered uncommon, recent studies suggest that malignant ulcers are more prevalent than previously thought (Miller et al 2003, Taylor 1998) therefore even though initial assessment suggests an uncomplicated venous ulcer, if Jane’s wound fails to heal following appropriate treatment then specialist advice will be sought. Between 17% and 65% of people with a leg ulcer experience severe or continuous pain with a major impact on quality of life (Briggs and Nelson, 2003) and effective pain relief is important to maximise quality of life, to enable mobilisation and improve appetite to facilitate wound healing. Fortunately, Jane experienced no pain from the leg ulcer prior to or at the time of assessment. However, careful review and monitoring of any pain will be important throughout the treatment process as the first line of treatment for uncomplicated venous leg ulcers are compression systems (RCN 2006) and although compression counteracts the harmful effects of venous hypertension and

The process of wound assessment requires accurate and appropriate interventions while dealing with the patients. There are some major components which the operator must consider to effectively access an infection, and they require a range of skills and knowledge. These factors are the knowledge of relevant anatomy and physiology, the understanding of the various factors that accelerate wound growth, and the ability to listen and understand the patient’s needs. In wound accessing, the doctor should have an idea concerning the number and location of wounds, the required treatments depending on the type of infection, the type of wound in accordance to various grading given, and the procedures to follow to achieve the treatment

It is estimated that 387 million people, globally live with diabetes (Phillips & Mehl, 2015). According to Medical News Today [MNT], diabetes is a metabolic disorder; which causes patients to be extremely thirsty and produce a lot of urine. Diabetes arises due to high blood pressure, due to the body not being able to produce enough insulin or because the body does not respond well to high insulin levels (MNT, 2016). There are four types of diabetes; there is the pre-diabetic stage, type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes. In 2014, 29 million people died due to diabetes. This equates to 1 diabetic patient dying every seven seconds due to preventable complications (including complications affecting lower limbs) caused by diabetes. It is said that 20-40% of health care costs are spent on the treatment of lower limb complications due to diabetes. The risk of a diabetic patient developing a foot ulcer is 25% and foot ulcers account approximately 85% of lower limb amputations. Diabetic complications that affect lower limbs are caused by both type 1 and type 2 diabetes (Phillips & Mehl, 2015). It is said that the World Health Organization described diabetic foot syndrome as including all possible complications in relation to the feet of a diabetic patient. Diabetic foot syndrome is defined as the ulceration of the foot, from the ankle downwards. Causes of foot ulceration include peripheral sensory neuropathy, vascular disease (ischaemia) and infection

venous leg ulcers and diabetic foot ulcers. Canadian Association of Wound Care (CAWC) has published

Vascular diseases that prevent blood flow to the small vessels are common in people with diabetes. This condition can affect the feet in particular, so you should make regular visits to a podiatrist. People with diabetes also have a reduced ability to heal even minor blisters and cuts. A podiatrist can monitor your feet for any serious infections that could lead to gangrene and amputation.

After the initial investigation, the BSN nurse would then research current treatments for pressure ulcers as they relate to diabetic patients. To properly care for a diabetic foot ulcer, the BSN nurse would suggest debridement and a dressing to prevent tissue dehydration, absorb excess fluid, and to prevent wound contamination (American Diabetes Association 2006). Patient education would also be necessary to ensure she does not bear weight on the affected limb to promote healing. According to the American Diabetes Association, the biggest challenge for healing a diabetic wound is keeping the patient from bearing weight on the affected limb. The BSN nurse may be equipped to handle the patient education better than the ADN nurse due to the amount of research done on the subject.

The goal to treat an ulcer in a diabetic patient is to heal the wound faster to prevent infection, pressure has to be take off the area by “offloading” the foot, remove dead tissue by the process of debridement, apply to dress per doctors order, and focus on managing the patient’s blood sugar effectively to promote healing. In addition, to prevent infection, the patient must keep the dressing clean, cleanse the wound daily and change the bandage and dressing, the patient must also avoid walking on barefoot.

The recommendations for change to practice at the level of the provider would include first treating the underlying problem that Mrs. Smith was admitted for. According to the literature, a progressively worsening diabetic foot ulcer involves implementing a multitude of strategies to prevent amputation of the limb. This allow for decreased rates in mortality and can increase quality of life. Adequate wound management such as debridement, and offloading techniques should be instilled. Furthermore, education by the provider would be of critical importance for Mrs. Smith in terms of consistent foot care and management of her disease process (Yazdanpanah, Nasiri, & Adarvishi, 2015). Due

Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN) is one of the most common microvascular complications in diabetes and can result in foot ulceration, ampuation and an impaired quality of life(Carrington AL, et al 2002,Boulton AJ,et al 2004). The reported prevalence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy ranges from 16% to as high as 66%2 and its prevelance is believed to increase with the duration of diabetes and poor glucose control.(Boulton AJ.et al 2000) It’s accounts for 50–75% of non-traumatic amputations in diabetic patients.(Holzer SE, et al 1998, Boulton AJM, 1998,Malay DS, et al 2006)

The recommendations for change to practice at the level of the provider would include first treating the underlying problem that Mrs. Smith was admitted for. According to the literature, a progressively worsening diabetic foot ulcer requires implementing a multitude of strategies to prevent amputation of the limb. Adequate wound management, including debridement if required, and offloading techniques should be instilled for Mrs. Smith. Furthermore, education by the provider would be of critical importance for

This paper will explore the impact that education has on one’s lifestyle with regard to the potential of being predisposed to diabetic foot ulcer. Even though the diabetic foot ulcer usually develop after many years of having a diagnoses of diabetes, it is usually the consequences of one’s earlier actions that predisposes one to the complications of diabetes, specifically the diabetic foot ulcer.