Lower limb ulceration is a common, debilitating and costly condition that accounts for over one third of chronic wounds in the UK. The most common underlying causes of leg and foot ulceration are venous insufficiency, arterial insufficiency, lymphoedema and diabetic neuropathy. More than half of leg ulcers do not have a recorded diagnosis and are unlikely to receive appropriate care. Poor care can cost up to ten times as much as appropriate care. The Legs Matter campaign aims to change this situation through a public health campaign supported by a website: http://legsmatter.org. The website provides clearly written, easily accessible information for patients, the public and generalist healthcare professionals along with signposts to reputable sources of information. In this way, the campaign aims to raise awareness that leg and foot conditions can be improved with the right care.
New drug treatments and licence extensions for existing osteoporosis treatments have emerged, although debate continues about drug treatment length and safety, particularly potential adverse effects. Alarming media reports regarding treatments and adverse effects appear regularly, heightening public anxiety. If doctor consultations are brief and there is little opportunity to explore treatment benefits and risks, and discuss uncertainty, it seems unsurprising that many patients consider abandoning their treatments altogether.
Rachel Ashcroft-Hands BSc (Hons) Nursing Studies, RGN is an Osteoporosis Nurse for the National Osteoporosis Society, Bath.
r.ashcroft-hands@nos.org.uk
Article accepted for publication: December 2012
Chronic wounds such as venous leg ulcers and diabetic foot ulcers are increasing in prevalence and impose a significant burden on patients and the NHS alike, particularly if complications related to delayed healing occur, such as infection, cellulitis or amputation. LQD® wound spray is a new primary dressing that contains chitosan FH02™. A multicentre evaluation was carried out across four centres in the UK to determine the efficacy of LQD in promoting wound healing in patients with long-standing venous leg ulcers and diabetic foot ulcers (n=39). The evaluation found that LQD promoted wound healing in almost half of the wounds (n=18), and 15 wounds made significant progress towards healing as measured by reduced wound dimensions and an increase in the healthy wound tissue present. Two wounds remained unchanged. Patients and clinicians reported that the use of LQD had a positive impact on wound progress.
In each issue we investigate a hot topic currently affecting you and your community practice.
While regulation is common in many walks of life — health care, the food industry, the building trade, to name but a few — it has become a national hobby to rail against the imposition of standards imposed from above. The phrase ‘health and safety gone mad’ has become common parlance, and is cheerfully bandied about whenever builders are asked to put on a hard-hat, chefs are ordered to wash their hands, or you require a triplicated insurance certificate to put up a shelf in your lounge (the last one is an exaggeration, obviously, but you get the point).
The Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI) annual conference will take place on 24–25 September in London.
This year, we have an international speaker, the American healthcare author Suzanne Gordon. Suzanne has written or edited nineteen books, including From Silence to Voice: What Nurses Know and Must Communicate to the Public. She is an expert in communication theory and is passionate about encouraging nurses to tell their story in a compelling and meaningful way that makes a difference to the public, media and commissioners. She has also written on other themes, including veterans’ health, nurse-patient ratios, patient safety, and teamwork.
A diagnosis of dementia is a life-changing experience for the person and their family. This can be made especially difficult if there is a significant delay in getting an accurate diagnosis, as well as there being insufficient postdiagnostic support and interventions for the person diagnosed or their family. Families report that caring can be an overwhelming experience made especially difficult if there is limited, or no access, to timely advice, support and interventions. The effects of dementia can bring irreversible changes to lives and relationships.
In the last 40 years, the population demographic of the UK has changed dramatically. Since 1974 to 2014, the percentage of those aged 65 and over grew by 47%, accounting for nearly 18% of the total population. During the same period, people aged 75 and over increased by 89%, making up a further 8% of the British populace (Office for National Statistics [ONS], 2018).
The second in this four-part series exploring leg ulcer management and understanding compression therapy examines the role of assessment as the basis for optimal clinical practice. The authors explore how the findings of thorough assessment can influence treatment choice. Adopting an holistic, person-centred approach to assessment, which includes taking an ankle brachial pressure index (ABPI) reading and involves the patient in decision-making will help nurses to make effective clinical decisions and plan care in partnership with patients. This article discusses a three-stage assessment and clinical decision-making process, which involves looking at the whole person, assessing the leg and the wound. The next article in the series will examine compression hosiery and adjustable wraps for the management of the lower limb.
