The Dangers Of Burs

Special dressings and bandages can be used to protect and to speed up the healing of pressure sores.

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.

Pressure ulcers are one of the most common problems health care facilities often face which causes pain and discomfort for the patient, cost effective to manage and impacts negatively on the hospital (Pieper, Langemo, & Cuddigan, 2009; Padula et al., 2011). The development of pressure ulcers occur when there is injury to the skin or tissue usually over bony prominences such as the coccyx, sacrum or heels from the increase of pressure and shear. This injury will compromise blood flow and result in ischemia due to lack of oxygen being delivered (Gyawali et al., 2011). Patients such as those who are critically ill or bed bounded are at high risk of developing pressure ulcers (O'Brien et

Sequential Compression Devices (SCD’s) mechanically replace normal muscle motion in the leg via a cuff that inflates and deflates uniformly. This mechanical inflation and deflation keeps blood flowing in the veins and prevents the formation of clots that can result in deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism. SCD’s are used as prophylaxis in patient groups with low to moderate risk of DVT (Brady et al., 2007, p. 256). Patient compliance

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

Braden scale (Braden & Makelburts, 2005) use in hospitals allows nurses to identify patients at risk for pressure ulcer based on their sensory perception, mobility, activity, moisture and nutrition. Although the Braden scale is a useful tool but healthcare administrations has yet found the best method to eliminate pressure ulcers or bedsore in intensive care units. The use of foam dressing will be introduced to the intensive

Pressure ulcers occur over bony prominences when skin is compressed for long periods of time, affecting the blood supply to certain areas, leading to ischaemia development (Waugh and Grant, 2001). Compression of skin is caused by pressure, shearing and friction, but can also occur due to pressure exerted by medical equipment (Randle, Coffey and Bradbury, 2009). NICE (2014) states that the prevalence of pressure ulcers in different healthcare settings in December 2013 was 4.7%, taken from data available for 186,000 patients. The cost of treating ulcers can vary depending on severity from £43 up to £374 (NICE, 2014). Evidence based practice skills are essential in nursing as it allows the best available evidence to be used to improve practice and patient care, while improving decision-making (Holland and Rees, 2010). I will be critiquing two research papers; qualitative and quantitative, using a framework set out by Holland and Rees (2010), and will explore the impact on practice. Using a framework provides a standardised method of assessing quality and reduces subjectivity.

20). Further, the presence of pressure ulcers places a burden on patients and their family (Grinspun, 2005, p.21). As recommended by Grinspun (2005), pillows and foam wedges to separate prominences of the body and lifting devices have been beneficial to avoid friction (p. 32). Research suggests that the majority of pressure ulcers can be avoided. Although, the population at risk likely suffers from the possible contributors, as stated repositioning at least every 2 hours or sooner was effective (Grinspun, 2005, p. 32). When practicing I will reposition patients at appropriate times to reduce the risk of damage to the skin. Additionally, when moving a patient up in bed, I will request adequate assistance from other nursing staff to use a lifting device. This will help to avoid friction while the patient is being moved, ultimately reducing the development of pressure

If a bandage is immersed in cold water the initial set will be retarded and thus “working time” lengthened. However, if a very rapid set is required soaking the bandage in warmer temperature water will accelerate the rate of

The 40’s were best known for World War II, but did you know that Velcro was invented during this time period? In the 1940’s, technological changes occurred with their effects being both positive and negative, but these effects have benefited society more by being the basis of many things used today. The technology in the 1940’s had undergone many changes.

The article is “Generating Velcro” by Dorothy Woodend. Dorothy‘s main idea in this article is about, With new technological advancements making our daily life easier, the extent of the new generation’s physical knowledge is in question

However, they still required the operator to position the material manually. Automatic machines were designed for use by high-volume producers. ML believed that the increased speed would offset the higher costs for the machines. Two of the automatic machines were pneumatically powered. The primary difference between them was that one machine positioned only one part of the fastener while the other machine positioned both parts of the fastener which increased its speed. The third automatic machine was electrically powered which made it significantly faster than the other two automatic machines, and it could attach multiple fasteners to the same garment.

Everyone uses Velcro in some way, whether it’s on shoes or if it’s simply just to stick two things together. Velcro, which is inspired by burrs (a type of seed case or flower head), is a very famous example of biomimicry. In 1941, when Swiss engineer George de Mestral was removing burrs from his dog after a hunting trip, he decided to observe them and see how they worked. When he looked at the burrs under a microscope, George de Mestral noticed that there are tiny hooks at the end of each spine on a bur. These miniscule hooks are the reason why burrs stick onto things like animal fur, clothing, and hair. The hooks catch onto anything with loops, which animal fur, clothing, and hair all have. This one observation inspired George de Mestral

A.D.Van Velzen et al (2005) conducted an experiment to compare the outcome of early treatment using elastic bandaging and rigid dressing and it was found that rigid dressing can reduce the risk of knee flexion contracture. In the research, the subjects were divided into three groups: (i) traditional elastic bandaging (ii) immediate fitting method and (iii) delayed fitting method. In the first condition, the stump of the subject was covered with a dressing bandage. Elastic bandaging was started once the wound has healed and after the removal of stitches. The subject was fitted with a regular prosthesis once the stump edema has minimized. It takes few months from amputation to the delivery of prosthesis. Before the subject gets any prosthesis, he/she was trained to walk by using air splints or

Diabetes increases the venous insufficiency and peripheral edema therefore the increased need to wear compression (Advanced Tissue 2017). As Vera did not have swelling in her legs and a normal anatomical shape, the inelastic bandages system was excluded, The disadvantages associated with it refers to a high skill needed to be applied, not cost effective and an increase in the nursing time to apply this system, not appropriate for self-care, can be bulky and impaction on mobility due to increased stiffness, footwear, clothing and body image Wounds UK 2016).