Current practices in wound management

Abstract

Current wound care practices at St. Luke's Hospital were studied in a survey in which the role of traditional wound management products in clinical practice was evaluated and the use and availability of modern wound management techniques was examined. The participation, through interviews and questionnaires, of various members of the health care team including Consultants and nursing staff of various wards, provided a clear profile of the existing situation. Survey results indicated that current wound care practices at St. Luke's Hospital have not kept pace with modern research findings in wound management techniques. Three principle interrelated problems were identified, namely: a. the widespread use of a number of traditional products known to adversely affect healing, in particular Eusol, hydrogen peroxide and other topical antiseptics; b. the very limited availability, if at all, of modern wound management products such as semi-permeable films, hydrogels, hydrocolloids, bead dressing and others; c. the urgent need of on-going, updated information on modern wound management techniques for members of the health care team. From the survey, it was justifiably assumed that, in order to become more sensitive to recent developments in this particular field, the re-evaluation and updating of wound care practices is of utmost importance. This requires a multi-disciplinary approach, involving the role of nurses, doctors, pharmacists, bacteriologists and other members of the health care team. It is proposed, therefore, that the essential initiative to effect the required change is the setting up of a multi disciplinary Wound Management Committee with the specific task to formulate and implement a Wound Management Policy for St. Luke's Hospital.