Venous leg ulcers are a common problem in the community, with which nurses should be familiar if they are to combat the pain, social isolation and depression that accompany this debilitating condition.
It is important that community nurses know how to assess, diagnose and treat leg ulcers, as well as being familiar with the different types of compression available.
If community nurses apply the information contained in this article, as well as completing the associated online test, they will be better equipped to provide evidence-based care and advice for patients living with venous leg ulceration.
Hilary Holmes and Professor Steven Timmons discuss some research where the objective was to investigate how social care staff working within intermediate care perceived their role in medication management.
Hilary Holmes, RN, BSc
Community Matron, Nottinghamshire County Teaching PCT
Stephen Timmons, MA, MA, MSc, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, University of Nottingham School of Nursing
Article accepted for publication: February 2007
Hydration is an easily overlooked but crucial element of general health that nurses working in the community need to be particularly aware of. Monitoring what people eat and drink is vital if dehydration, as well as deterioration in other conditions such as diabetes, is to be avoided.
The focus of compression bandaging has been directed towards ease of application, comfort, tolerability and effectiveness. This article reports on a two-centre non-comparative evaluation of the new two component short-stretch bandage kit (Actico®2C) in a case series with the aim of establishing how comfortable and effective the bandage is in a real life situation.
Aaron Knowles Tissue Viability Podiatrist, Eastbourne Wound Healing Centre
Dr Hildegard Charles Visiting Lecturer, Buckingham University
Agnes Collarte Tissue Viability Nurse, Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust
Anna Coulborn Lymphoedema Specialist and Tissue Viability Nurse, Wound Healing Centre, Eastbourne
Sylvie Hampton Tissue Viability Consultant, Wound Healing Centre, Eastbourne
Article accepted for publication: March 2013
In some chronic wounds, excessive exudate can inhibit wound healing. Clinicians must manage the wound, ensure cost and clinical effectiveness and a positive patient experience as mismanagement may lead to non-concordance. This article discusses the evaluation of absorbent products within a community provider organisation, and includes patient feedback and opinions of the clinicians delivering the care.
Lorraine Grothier, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Tissue Viability and Lymphoedema Manager Central Essex Community Services, Essex.
Article accepted for publication: March 2013
