The inter-rater reliability between nurse-assessors clinically assessing infection of chronic wounds using the WUWHS criteria.

The aim of this study was to determine the inter-rater reliability between one expert-nurse and four clinical-nurses who were asked to clinically assess infection of chronic wounds by using the World Union of Wound Healing Societies (WUWHS) criteria. A quasi-experimental design was used to collect the data. In comparison to phase 1 in which 'open questions' were asked, in phase 2 a pre-printed form (checklist) was introduced.

Is a wound swab for microbiological analysis supportive in the clinical assessment of infection of a chronic wound?

Aim: To determine whether bacteriological analysis of a wound swab is supportive in the clinical assessment of infection of a chronic wound.

Methods: Patients attending an outpatient wound clinic who had endured a chronic wound for more than 3 weeks were clinically assessed for infection. In addition, standardized wound swabs were taken according to the Levine technique and the microbiological findings of the swabs compared with the clinical assessment of the wounds.

Cost analysis of one of the first outpatient wound clinics in the Netherlands.

Objective: To perform, from an insurance perspective, a cost analysis of one of the outpatient community wound care clinics in the Netherlands, the Knowledge Centre in Wound Care (KCWC) at Venray.

Method: This study involved a cost analysis based on an observational cohort study with a one-year pre-admission and a one-year post-admission comparison of costs. Patients were included when they first consulted the outpatient wound care clinic.

Influence of superabsorbent dressings on non-healing ulcers: a multicentre case series from the Netherlands and the UK.

Objective: To record and assess the application and the progression of wound healing in patients who received Sorbion sachet S or Sorbion Sana wound dressings.

Method: A convenience sample of patients with chronic wounds was recruited from nursing homes or community wound clinics in the Netherlands and the UK. Wound surface area measurements, pain assessment using a visual analogue scale score, patient affect (mood) and social interaction were recorded using a specifically designed evaluation template.

Prevalence of chronic wounds and structural quality indicators of chronic wound care in Dutch nursing homes.

The aim of this study was to measure the prevalence of (infected) chronic wounds in Dutch nursing homes and to explore which signs and symptoms are used to diagnose infected chronic wounds. Moreover, it was to determine which structural quality indicators related to chronic wound care at ward and institutional levels were fulfilled. In April 2012, as part of the annual National Prevalence Measurement of Care Problems of Maastricht University [Landelijke Prevalentiemeting Zorgproblemen (LPZ)], a multi-center cross-sectional point-prevalence measurement was carried out together with an assessment of relevant care quality indicators.