Microbiological evaluation of ultraviolet C light-emitting diodes for disinfection of medical instruments.

Background: Despite the many guidelines for reprocessing of medical instruments, challenges persist such as microbial resistance to biocides, corrosive effects on materials, and time-consuming reprocessing procedures. Ultraviolet (UV) C light-emitting diode (LED) chambers might provide a solution but the integration in healthcare is still in its infancy. Here, we evaluated the efficacy of a novel ZAPARAY UVC LED chamber as a time and energy-efficient alternative for reprocessing of medical instruments for which current disinfection protocols exhibit limitations.

Classification of compression stockings: report of the meeting of the International Compression Club, Copenhagen.

The classification of medical elastic compression stockings (MECS) according to pressure classes varies from country to country and neither provides any information on the elastic property nor on the ambulatory interface pressure profiles of the different products. Beside elasticity, MECS are also characterized by other properties such as stiffness and hysteresis. Recent research showed that MECS behaved differently in static and ambulatory conditions.

Reliability of Repeated Measurements on Post-Burn Scars with Corneometer CM 825(®).

Background/purpose: The water content in burn scars, the parameter of stratum corneum water holding capacity, is an important feature in evaluation of biophysical properties of scars. Nevertheless, quantifiying this parameter is a challenge. In this study, the reliability of repeated water content measurements with Corneometer CM825(®) on (burn) scars was investigated.

Classification of forefoot plantar pressure distribution in persons with diabetes: a novel perspective for the mechanical management of diabetic foot?

Background: The aim of this study was to identify groups of subjects with similar patterns of forefoot loading and verify if specific groups of patients with diabetes could be isolated from non-diabetics.

Methodology/principal Findings: Ninety-seven patients with diabetes and 33 control participants between 45 and 70 years were prospectively recruited in two Belgian Diabetic Foot Clinics. Barefoot plantar pressure measurements were recorded and subsequently analysed using a semi-automatic total mapping technique.

Diagnosis and treatment of primary lymphedema. Consensus document of the International Union of Phlebology (IUP)-2013.

Primary lymphedema can be managed effectively as a form of chronic lymphedema by a sequenced and targeted treatment and management program based around a combination of Decongestive Lymphatic Therapy (DLT) with compression therapy, when the latter is desired as an adjunct to DLT. Treatment in the maintenance phase should include compression garments, self-management, including self-massage, meticulous personal hygiene and skin care, in addition to lymphtransport-promoting excercises and activities, and, if desired, pneumatic compression therapy applied in the home. When conservative treatment fails, or gives sub-optimal outcomes, the management of primary lymphedema can be improved, where appropriate, with the proper addition of surgical interventions, either reconstructive or ablative.

Comparison of foot segmental mobility and coupling during gait between patients with diabetes mellitus with and without neuropathy and adults without diabetes.

Background: Reduction in foot mobility has been identified as a key factor of altered foot biomechanics in individuals with diabetes mellitus. This study aimed at comparing in vivo segmental foot kinematics and coupling in patients with diabetes with and without neuropathy to control adults.

Methods: Foot mobility of 13 diabetic patients with neuropathy, 13 diabetic patients without neuropathy and 13 non-diabetic persons was measured using an integrated measurement set-up including a plantar pressure platform and 3D motion analysis system.

Chronic edema of the lower extremities: international consensus recommendations for compression therapy clinical research trials.

Chronic edema is a multifactorial condition affecting patients with various diseases. Although the pathophysiology of edema varies, compression therapy is a basic tenant of treatment, vital to reducing swelling. Clinical trials are disparate or lacking regarding specific protocols and application recommendations for compression materials and methodology to enable optimal efficacy.

Dogmas and controversies in compression therapy: report of an International Compression Club (ICC) meeting, Brussels, May 2011.

The International Compression Club (ICC) is a partnership between academics, clinicians and industry focused upon understanding the role of compression in the management of different clinical conditions. The ICC meet regularly and from these meetings have produced a series of eight consensus publications upon topics ranging from evidence-based compression to compression trials for arm lymphoedema. All of the current consensus documents can be accessed on the ICC website (http://www.

Systematic development and validation of a nursing intervention: the case of lifestyle adherence promotion in patients with leg ulcers.

Aims: To describe and discuss of the added value of systematic development and validation of nursing interventions in nursing care.

Background: An adherence-promoting intervention for leg ulcer patients was developed in 2008, based on the model of van Meijel. This model requires a systematic development using an analysis of patients' (lived) experiences and professionals' views on (good) care.

Diagnosis and treatment of primary lymphedema. Consensus document of the International Union of Phlebology (IUP)-2009.

Primary lymphedema can be managed safely as one of the chronic lymphedemas by a proper combination of DLT with compression therapy. Treatment in the maintenance phase should include compression garments, self management including the compression therapy, self massage and meticulous personal hygiene and skin care in addition to lymph-transport promoting excercises. The management of primary lymphedema can be further improved with proper addition of surgical therapy either reconstructive or ablative.

Clinical trials needed to evaluate compression therapy in breast cancer related lymphedema (BCRL). Proposals from an expert group.

Aim: A mainstay of lymphedema management involves the use of compression therapy. Compression therapy application is variable at different levels of disease severity. Evidence is scant to direct clinicians in best practice regarding compression therapy use.

A new device to measure upper limb circumferences: validity and reliability.

Aim: The aim of this paper was to examine the reliability and validity of a new measurement device that counters the disadvantages of the traditional method of arm circumference measurements.

Methods: We measured the arm on the non-operated side of breast cancer patients. Sixty-four patients were measured twice by the same assessor and 48 patients were measured twice by two different assessors.

Indications for compression therapy in venous and lymphatic disease consensus based on experimental data and scientific evidence. Under the auspices of the IUP.

Aim: The aim of this study was to review published literature concerning the use of compression treatments in the management of venous and lymphatic diseases and establish where reliable evidence exists to justify the use of medical compression and where further research is required to address areas of uncertainty.

Methods: The authors searched medical literature databases and reviewed their own collections of papers, monographs and books for papers providing information about the effects of compression and randomized clinical trials of compression devices. Papers were classified in accordance with the recommendations of the GRADE group to categorize their scientific reliability.

Creative compression treatment in challenging situations.

There are globally accepted insights and country-specific standards, preferences, and traditions regarding compression therapy. Although there is a wide choice of bandaging and compression materials, the use of these materials must be planned to meet individual patient's temporary needs using the most appropriate technique and optimal timing. Even though indications and contraindications exist for elastic and nonelastic materials and techniques, professionals must use the technical advantages of the several systems for the benefit of the patient.

Classification of compression bandages: practical aspects.

Background: Compression bandages appear to be simple medical devices. However, there is a lack of agreement over their classification and confusion over the use of important terms such as elastic, inelastic, and stiffness.

Objectives: The objectives were to propose terms to describe both simple and complex compression bandage systems and to offer classification based on in vivo measurements of subbandage pressure and stiffness.

Guidelines for clinical studies with compression devices in patients with venous disorders of the lower limb.

Objectives: The scientific quality of published clinical trials is generally poor in studies where compression devices have been assessed in the management of venous disease. The authors' aim was to establish a set of guidelines which could be used in the design of future clinical trials of compression treatments for venous diseases.

Design: Consensus conference leading to a consensus statement.

Allergic contact dermatitis from modified colophonium in wound dressings.

This study concerns a 69-year-old female patient with a longstanding history of venous ulcerations on both lower legs and multiple sensitivities, who developed eczematous lesions with the hydrocolloid dressing Combiderm (Convatec Ltd., a Bristol-Myers Squibb division, Ickenham, Middlesex, UK). Epicutaneous tests were positive to this dressing and to a modified colophonium derivative, i.

Economic aspects of diabetic foot care in a multidisciplinary setting: a review.

Background: To evaluate the economic aspects of diabetic foot care in a multidisciplinary setting.

Method: A review of the English language literature, published from 1966 to November 2005.

Results: The results of available studies on the cost-of-illness of diabetic foot problems are difficult to compare.

Measurement of lower leg compression in vivo: recommendations for the performance of measurements of interface pressure and stiffness: consensus statement.

Background: Interface pressure and stiffness characterizing the elastic properties of the material are the parameters determining the dosage of compression treatment and should therefore be measured in future clinical trials.

Objective: To provide some recommendations regarding the use of suitable methods for this indication.

Method: This article was formulated based on the results of an international consensus meeting between a group of medical experts and representatives from the industry held in January 2005 in Vienna, Austria.