Journal of wound, ostomy, and continence nursing : official publication of The Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society
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J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs · Mar 1997
ReviewSkin integrity in patients undergoing prolonged operations.
The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors contributing to pressure ulcer development in patients undergoing scheduled, prolonged operative procedures. ⋯ Removal of the warming blanket from routine intraoperative use with patients undergoing prolonged operations is indicated. Continued follow-up of this patient population will help to determine whether avoidance of warming blankets is sufficient to lower the incidence of pressure ulcer formation.
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J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs · Mar 1997
Development and implementation of a clinical pathway for radical cystectomy and urinary system reconstruction.
A multidisciplinary pathway and patient guide for radical cystectomies is described. Various forms of urinary diversion may be employed after cystectomy for bladder cancer. A clinical pathway for the management of patients undergoing radical cystectomy and urinary diversion or neobladder construction has proved beneficial to patient care, to the nursing and medical staffs, and to the institution.
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J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs · Mar 1996
ReviewAn introduction to hyperbaric oxygen therapy for the ET nurse.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, a controversial field of medicine that is not yet well understood, is the use of pressurization to deliver increased oxygen concentrations to the body and in particular to increase the amount of oxygen diffused in the plasma. This article is intended to provide ET nurses with an introduction to the physics of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and to illustrate how this therapy may be beneficial in aiding healing in selected patients. Methods of oxygen delivery, a review of the physics of hyperbaric oxygen therapy, including a brief explanation of the gas laws pertinent to hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and clinical considerations (clinical effects, implications, indications, contraindications, assessment parameters, treatment protocols, risks, side effects, and wound dressings suitable for this specialized environment) are discussed. Approved indications for hyperbaric oxygen therapy and contact information for locating the nearest hyperbaric oxygen therapy facility are included.
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The purpose of this prospective study was to determine the incidence of pressure ulcers and to examine factors related to pressure ulcer development in patients in an acute care setting. Adult medical and surgical patients who were free of pressure ulcers at admission were assessed within 36 hours of admission and then three times per week for 2 weeks or until discharge. Instruments included a demographic data form, a skin assessment form, and the Braden Scale for Predicting Pressure Sore Risk. ⋯ In the final model, hemoglobin level and hours spent in bed continued to be predictors of pressure ulcer development (chi 2 = 9.306, df = 2, p = 0.0095). All 20 subjects who acquired pressure ulcers were further categorized into groups with stage I (n = 12) or stage II (n = 8) ulcers. Patients with stage I pressure ulcers were primarily receiving post-surgical care (67%), whereas patients who acquired stage II ulcers had medical conditions that affected tissue perfusion, such as respiratory diseases (50%) and diabetes mellitus (12%).