Cover Page, Contents and AbstractsThe current cover page of the latest issue of the Journal is found here along with the contents and abstracts of the articles contained within the current issue of the journal. *** Please note from the 1st March 2010 the Password to access the articles from the 4 most recent Issues has changed, the username remains unchanged. Details were listed on the cover sheet of the most recent issue of WP&R.
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Electronic articles from the current and last 3 issues of the Journal are only available to AWMA Members and Wound Practice and Research subscribers. Click on the pdf icon next to the title to access the article Adobe Acrobat Reader is needed to read these files. If you do not have this Reader installed please click the image below to download the free software. |
- AWMA & ANZBA Newsletter - June 2010
Contents
In this issue... Contents
| Editorial: Hardman D | Page 60 | |
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Developing Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention
and Management of Venous Leg Ulcers Barker J |
Page 62 |
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Diagnosis and management of venous leg ulcers: a nurse's role? Templeton S & Telford K |
Page 72 |
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The Leg Ulcer Prevention Program: effectiveness of a multimedia
client education package for people with venous leg ulcers Kapp S, Miller C, Sayers V & Donohue L |
Page 80 |
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The Leg Ulcer Prevention Program: nurse perspectives on a
multimedia client education package for people with venous leg ulcers Kapp S, Miller C & Donohue L |
Page 91 |
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Sub-bandage pressure difference of tubular form and short-stretch compression bandages: in-vivo randomised controlled trial Weller CD, Jolley D & McNeil J |
Page 100 |
| Journal Watch |
Page 106 | |
| Book Review | Page 107 | |
| Product News | Page 108 |
Developing Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Venous Leg Ulcers
Barker J
An inaugural Venous Leg Ulcer Consensus meeting was held in Perth, Western Australia, on 6 September 2005. It was attended by a large number of Australia’s wound care leaders who endorsed the need for, and support of, a proposal to develop Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Venous Leg Ulcers under the auspices of the Australian Wound Management Association (AWMA). The guidelines will not duplicate existing resources, but develop an innovative Australian framework for care. The key aim in developing the proposed guidelines is to improve health outcomes for the Australian community by preventing venous legs ulcers and their recurrence and provide an evidence-based framework for their management.
Diagnosis and management of venous leg ulcers: a nurse's role?
Templeton S & Telford K
Abstract
Leg ulcers are a common, debilitating and chronic condition, more prevalent in older people. As with most chronic illnesses and
conditions, leg ulcers have a significant impact on the health system and the individual. As most leg ulcers are managed in the
community, it is imperative that community-based practitioners have specific clinical expertise, skill and professional judgement
to inform decisions about the ulcer aetiology, appropriate management and optimal client outcomes. The Royal District Nursing
Service (RDNS) SA Inc. undertook an integrative literature review to examine the role of the district nurse (DN) and general
practitioner (GP) in management of leg ulcers. The review concluded that, whilst there is some uncertainty regarding roles, the
competent district nurse can independently assess and manage venous leg ulcers to achieve optimal outcomes for clients and
support the already overburdened healthcare system.
The Leg Ulcer Prevention Program: effectiveness of a multimedia
client education package for people with venous leg ulcers
Kapp S, Miller C, Sayers V & Donohue L
Abstract
The prolonged and recurrent nature of venous leg ulceration can be a source of great frustration to client and clinicians alike. Venous ulcers may have a significant effect on a person’s quality of life and treatment of this condition generates a burden on healthcare systems. It is a challenge to assist people with these ulcers to adhere to treatment and to generate and maintain positive lifestyle changes so as to reduce the risk of delayed healing, ulcer recurrence and poor health.
The Leg Ulcer Prevention Program (LUPP) was designed around key elements which influence ulcer healing, promote chronic disease management, optimise recurrence prevention and, more broadly, are conducive to better health and wellbeing. The program sought to empower clients to take ownership of their chronic disease and participate in self-management activities to augment their formal care.
LUPP led to statistically significant improvements in client knowledge for ulcer aetiology, compression bandaging treatment, activity and exercise, nutrition, skin care and the need for compression stockings following healing. Statistically significant improvements in client behaviours were demonstrated in the areas of activity and exercise, skin care and compression bandaging.
The results of this research are of interest to clinicians and organisations who deliver care to people with venous leg ulcers or indeed any chronic disease. LUPP is an evidence-based resource for providing effective client education to improve client knowledge and behaviours and, in turn, promote better health and wellbeing.
The Leg Ulcer Prevention Program: nurse perspectives on a
multimedia client education package for people with venous leg ulcers
Kapp S, Miller C & Donohue L
Abstract
The Leg Ulcer Prevention Program (LUPP) is an evidence-based, multimedia client education package for people receiving care for a venous leg ulcer. The program is delivered in the home via the nurse’s tablet personal computer. LUPP aims to assist people to understand and adopt clinically effective leg ulcer treatment and better manage chronic disease risk factors. The program engages clients in the ownership of their ulcer and self-care activities, promoting wound healing and recurrence prevention.
To complement the evaluation of client outcomes when participating in LUPP, the nurse perspective was investigated. A nurse survey and focus group was undertaken to describe and explore the nurse experience and satisfaction with LUPP. Satisfaction with LUPP was found to be high. LUPP demonstrated success in improving client education practices and nurses facilitated positive health outcomes for clients. LUPP was perceived by nurses as a valuable tool to engage clients and themselves in the education of people with venous leg ulcers.
The LUPP: nurse perspectives on a multimedia client education package for people with venous leg ulcers.
Sub-bandage pressure difference of tubular form and short-stretch compression bandages: in-vivo randomised controlled trial
Weller CD, Jolley D & McNeil J
Abstract
This research report outlines the findings of a sub-bandage pressure randomised controlled trial (RCT). The aim of the subbandage study was to estimate the difference between mean interface sub-bandage pressures of two multi-layer compression bandage systems during supine position, standing, exercise and recovery. This open-label, prospective, single factor crossover, randomised within person RCT was designed to measure the sub-bandage pressure difference in two compression systems in vivo to inform a current pilot clinical RCT that is comparing the effectiveness of a three-layer straight tubular (elastic) bandaging system with a short-stretch (inelastic) compression bandaging system in the management of people with venous ulceration (3VSS2008). In the sub-bandage in-vivo study the inelastic and elastic compression bandages were randomised to opposite limbs of 42 healthy adult volunteers. Sub-bandage interface pressures for both bandages were compared within person. Interface sub-bandage pressures varied between different activities but the mean difference in interface pressures between inelastic and elastic bandages was consistently at least 13mmHg. Stiffness was 7.3mmHg higher in the inelastic group (95% CI: 5.1 to 9.5). The estimated difference in amplitude of sub-bandage pressure between the bandages during exercise was 15.5mmHg (95% CI 12.2 to 18.9). We found in-vivo interface sub-bandage pressures varied with the type of bandage and activity phase. These baseline results will be useful to inform future compression bandage studies that plan to measure venous ulcer healing rates.