Clinicians often find it difficult to devote sufficient time to develop proposals that will investigate issues that enhance the patient experience. Thus, clinicians need to access researchers and academics who can assist in developing research proposals, undertake service evaluation, audit current practice, provide advice on best practice and offer education that maintains clinical knowledge and skills.
The University of Huddersfield recognised the challenges faced by clinicians in undertaking research in the specialist area of skin, and in 2011 formed the Skin Interface Sciences (SIS) Research Group. This article outlines its development and achievements to date.
Karen Ousey, Reader, PhD, RGN, School of Human and Health Sciences, Centre for Health and Social Care Research, University of Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. E-Mail: k.j.ousey@hud.ac.uk
Ross Atkinson, PhD, Spinal Research, Coordinator – Greater Manchester, Neurosciences Centre & Honorary Research Associate – The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Salford
Leigh Fleming, PhD, Senior Research Fellow, School of Computing and Engineering, University of Huddersfield, West Yorkshire
Barbara Conway, PhD, Professor, School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, West Yorkshire
Skin Interface Sciences Research Group, University of Huddersfield: sisgroup@hud.ac.uk
Article accepted for publication: December 2012
Objective: In Slovenia, community nurses usually use tap water as a cleanser for chronic wounds, but is this the best practice? The purpose of this review is to establish if there is any difference in healing and infection rates when wounds are cleaned with tap water instead of sterile saline.
Method: An electronic literature search using the key words chronic wounds, wound cleansing, tap water and saline was undertaken.
Results: Results showed that there was no increase in infection or in wound healing rates between patients whose wounds were cleaned with tap water or sterile saline. Tap water may be as safe and effective as sterile saline but only when the water comes from the properly treated supply and used at body temperature.
Conclusion: Some evidence suggests that the use of tap water of drinkable quality appears to be a safe alternative to sterile saline, and that there are numerous benefits in its use.
Acknowledgements:
This contribution is part of Master’s Degree undertaken at College of Health Care, Izola. The author is grateful for the support and assistance of Professor Dame June Clark, Swansea University.
Andreja Ljubič RN, University of Primorska, Faculty of Health Sciences Izola, Slovenia and Health Center Postojna, Postojna, Slovenia.
Article accepted for publication: January 2012
Throughout history, it has been observed that wounds tended to heal more quickly with fewer complications when larvae found their way onto open wounds. Larval therapy (LT) is used for the debridement of chronic wounds and to create a wound bed conductive to effective healing. The aim of this article is to discuss the effectiveness of larval therapy for the debridement of chronic wounds through a critical analysis of the relevant literature.
Laura Wood, BA (Nursing). Previously Staff Nurse, AMU, Heartlands Hospital, Birmingham
Mark Hughes RGN, DN, HV, BSc (Hons), MSc, PGCE, Lecturer, University of Birmingham
Article accepted for publication: December 2012
There are very few healthcare professionals who do not treat conditions caused by or exacerbated by smoking. Thirty years on from its initiation, No Smoking Day, this year on 13 March, is one of the United Kingdom’s (UK) longest running and most successful health campaigns to date. This article from the British Heart Foundation (BHF) outlines their work.
Constipation is one of the most common gastrointestinal problems experienced by the general population, with an estimated UK prevalence of 52 per cent. Despite this, constipation is often both misdiagnosed and under-treated both in children and adults. This paper will look at the issues and suggest specific management strategies for addressing constipation in both the general adult population and these apparently vulnerable groups.
June Rogers MBE, RN, RSCN, BA(Hons), MSc, ENB 216, ENB N01, ENB 978. PromoCon Team Director, Disabled Living Manchester.
Article accepted for publication: January 2013
In order to understand lymphoedema and chronic oedema skin breakdown and thus consider the most appropriate treatment options and strategies for patient education, the normal function and structure of the skin must be understood.
This abridged version of the chapter of the same name, from the International Lymphoedema Framework document, Best Practice for the Management of Lymphoedema (2nd ed.), outlines the skin conditions commonly see in lymphoedema and chronic oedema and offers management strategies for these.
Acknowledgements:
The Editor would like to thank MEP Ltd (London), for their kind permission to reproduce the images in this article.
The Editor would also like to thank the International Lymphoedema Framework for allowing publication of this abridged chapter. The full document can be found at www.lympho.org
Mieke Flour, MD, Senior Staff Dermatology Department, University Hospital Leuven, Belgium, Head of out-patient clinics: chronic wounds, conservative phlebology, lymphoedema, compression and multidisciplinary diabetic foot clinic
Article accepted for publication: October 2012
