Care in the community Resources

With an ageing population, it is likely that the numbers of leg ulcers requiring intervention will increase proportionately. Given that most leg ulcer care is conducted in the community, this will place an extra burden on primary care staff. Therefore, any cost-effective interventions which improve management are worth considering. The Complex Wound Clinic team (Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust) undertook a 12-month evaluation of using octenidine-based antimicrobial wash mitts as an alternative to
bucket washing. The aim was to monitor both patient and staff reaction to the use of wash mitts instead of bucket washing, track reported incidents of staff musculoskeletal injuries, and monitor infection rates, including Pseudomonas and wound infections requiring antibiotics.

In a previous article several issues surrounding urinary catheters and their care were raised. In this article, Debbie Wright and Ian Pomfret discuss these and other catheter-related issues from infection control and continence promotion viewpoints

Debbie Wright RGN, Dip N. is a Consultant Nurse, Infection Prevention and Control. NHS Central Lancashire

Ian Pomfret RGN, NDN Cert., PWT District Continence Adviser. NHS Central Lancashire

Article accepted for publication: November 2008