Resources

The second part in our series on pressure ulcer prevention and management looks at
risk assessment tools or scales which can be used across all clinical settings in primary
and secondary care. It presents the case of Mrs Smith and how the different tools can assess her risk of pressure ulcer development. The scores and risk levels  vary according to the scale used so an explanation of how her risk level was assessed
is given.

Delivery of health care is undergoing unprecedented changes. There are increasing requirements for care which are not matched by a comparable increase in resources. Services are frequently under pressure and at times overwhelmed; wound care is no exception. 

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a devastating, progressive disease of the skin which is poorly understood and often misdiagnosed (British Dermatological Nursing Group [BDNG], 2022; Moloney et al, 2022). It affects the hair follicles and is characterised by recurring inflammatory nodules, abscesses, draining lesions and tunnels (World Union of Wound Healing Societies [WUWHS], 2016; Moloney et al, 2022)

Chronic wounds are complex by nature and require thorough assessment and carefully planned management. Part of that management often includes preparing the wound and periwound skin for healing, for which debridement is frequently required. While there are several methods of debridement available, often requiring specialist referral, there are some that can be used by generalist nurses and patients and carers  themselves. This article describes one of those methods, mechanical debridement,

Moisture-associated skin damage (MASD) is a term used to describe skin damage that is caused by prolonged exposure to moisture, such as incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD), intertriginous dermatitis, periwound moisture-associated dermatitis and peristomal moisture-associated dermatitis. MASD is a hugely prevalent issue in hospitals and long-term care facilities (Voegeli, 2019). Studies have shown that skin tone bias exists in the diagnosis and treatment of MASD, the impact of which this paper discusses as well as how to prevent such bias while assessing and diagnosing MASD.

Despite advances in knowledge, understanding, risk factors and treatment, cervical cancer continues to be a cause of death in women around the world. The disease is the fourth most frequent cancer type in women, with an estimated 342,000 deaths in 2020, with the majority of these (approximately 90%) occurring in low and middle-income countries (World Health Organization [WHO], 2022).

Storytelling is the act of telling or writing stories, or narratives. Typically, stories are told for entertainment, for informational or educational purposes. Telling stories and storymaking is integral to our human consciousness and lived experience

Here, Ellie Lindsay OBE explores why, with the increased use of virtual technology in health care, good communication skills are more vital than ever to ensure person-centred, holistic care.

The evolution of technology and electronic devices, such as smart phones, has greatly influenced the way we communicate today, improving the speed and ease of reaching out to others. But, the downside of the speed of, for example, a text messaging service, may be that individuals are no longer taking the time to converse in person and to be truly present — in mind and body.

In December 2017, I started working at Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals as one of two new community diabetes specialist nurses (CDSN). It was a new role working within an already specialist service implementing the diabetes model of seamless care. The role worked alongside primary care colleagues to review tier 2 and complex diabetes patients in GP surgeries at face-to-face appointments with the aim of reducing complications.

Lymphoedema is a chronic, progressive condition, which can have a significant impact
on patients — both physically and psychologically. While there is no cure, it is vital that the condition is effectively managed to prevent deterioration and its impact on patient quality of life.