P R Boynton | PubMed Health

PubMed1999

Meeting the challenges of healing chronic wounds in older adults.

Older Americans are living longer. With aging, the skin becomes thinner, more fragile, and more susceptible to injury. Progressive normal and pathological aging changes increase the risk for chronic health problems that may lead to open wounds and delayed healing. Optimum care of chronic wounds supports the older person's specific health and care needs, progresses to cleansing and débridement of the wound, then uses an appropriate cover and other protective interventions to promote healing.

Aged↗

PubMed1996

Wound assessment and decision-making options.

The increasing presence of multiple, chronic disease states among critically ill patients compounds care of their acute or traumatic conditions. These patients may be admitted with existing wounds and they may develop impaired skin integrity due to a variety of factors related to their illness and treatment. Whereas maintenance of vital functions is the priority of care, critical care nurses are more frequently faced with the challenges presented by pressure ulcers and various other surgical, traumatic, and vascular wounds. These wounds increase morbidity and mortality and result in higher costs for health care. Education in assessment of risk, pathophysiology, the healing process, comprehensive assessment, and efficient, effective wound management contribute to optimal patient outcomes and cost-effective delivery of care.

Beds↗