Redesigning blood pressure measurement training in healthcare schools.

Blood pressure (BP) measurement is the most commonly performed procedure in clinical practice and requires mastering several skills. A prior study determined that medical school students failed to perform more than half of BP measurement skills correctly, demonstrating a need to redesign how BP measurement is taught. The American Medical Association set out to create and test a solution to address this BP measurement curricula gap.

Comparing Human Amniotic Allograft and Standard Wound Care When Using Total Contact Casting in the Treatment of Patients with Diabetic Foot Ulcers.

Objective: This prospective, randomized study compared two treatments for diabetic foot ulcers: total contact cast and a skin substitute versus total contact cast and standard wound care.

Participants: Researchers screened 270 adult outpatients in a Midwestern wound care clinic for inclusion. Adults 18 years or older with type 1 or 2 diabetes and a diabetic foot ulcer located on the plantar surface larger than 0.

Use of Simulation to Develop Teamwork Skills in Prelicensure Nursing Students: An Integrative Review.

Background: While use of simulation to improve teamwork skills has been established in a variety of clinical settings, it is unclear how teamwork skills of nursing students are developed using simulation.

Purpose: The purpose of this review was to synthesize literature on how simulation is used to teach teamwork skills to prelicensure nursing students.

Methods: The integrative review of the literature was conducted using the Whittemore and Knafl 5-stage methodology and the TeamSTEPPS framework.

Observations of periwound skin protection in venous ulcers: a comparison of treatments.

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the effectiveness of 2 products on venous ulcer periwound skin.

Design: This was a descriptive comparative study.

Setting: An outpatient wound care clinic in a rural Midwestern area of the United States.

Planning, conducting, and interpreting prevalence and incidence for the wound practitioner.

Prevalence is a 1-time "snapshot" of cases present on a specific date, and incidence measures the new cases of a disease or condition in a given period. This article discusses prevalence and incidence and gives practical tips for wound care practitioners who plan and conduct prevalence/incidence audits.

Incontinence and incontinence-associated dermatitis.

Incontinence is a prevalent problem and can lead to many complications. Both urinary and fecal incontinence can result in tissue breakdown, now commonly referred to as incontinence-associated dermatitis. This article addresses the types of incontinence, its etiology and pathophysiology, assessment, prevention and treatment, and the latest research.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for chronic wounds.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy continues to be discussed as another adjunctive therapy in the continuum of wound care. There is a dearth of evidence from randomized clinical trials on HBO therapy. For evidence-based practice, more randomized, controlled studies need to be conducted with HBO therapy to determine its efficacy in treating other chronic wounds besides those of patients with diabetes.

The relationship between hemoglobin A(1c) values and healing time for lower extremity ulcers in individuals with diabetes.

Problem: The diabetic population is at an increased risk, up to 15% over a lifetime, to develop leg and foot ulcers due to such factors as neuropathy, ischemia, and infection. The tight control of glucose levels as possible is necessary to prevent the diabetic complications by preventing microvascular changes that predispose the patient to neuropathy, ischemia, and infection. Although it is clear from the literature review that tight glucose control prevents complications, the relationship between HgbA1c values and healing times of ulcers is less well defined.

Heel pressure ulcers: stand guard.

Purpose: To present a comprehensive overview of current information on heel pressure ulcer (PrU) risk, development, prevention, and treatment.

Target Audience: This continuing education activity is intended for physicians and nurses with an interest in wound care.

Objectives: After reading this article and taking this test, the reader should be able to: 1.

Measuring wound length, width, and area: which technique?

Purpose: To provide practitioners with evidence-based recommendations for measuring wound size.

Target Audience: This continuing education activity is intended for physicians and nurses with an interest in wound care.

Objectives: After reading this article and taking this test, the reader should be able to: 1.