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Keywords: Tissue viability/Negative pressure wound therapy/Chronic wounds Nursing Practice Innovation Tissue viability ●This article has been double-blind peer reviewed Complex wounds may benefit from negative pressure therapy. Consideration must be given to appropriate patient selection and dressing application Using negative pressure therapy in wound healing In this article... T ypes of wound for which negative pressure wound therapy is suitable C onsiderations for patient selection U sing negative pressure wound therapy in the community Author Heidi Guy is tissue viability clinical nurse specialist and honorary lecturer, East and North Herts Hospital Trust and University of Hertfordshire; Lorraine Grothier is clinical nurse specialist tissue viability, Central Essex Community Services, Maldon. Abstract Guy H, Grothier L (2012) Using negative pressure therapy in wound healing. Nursing Times; 108; 36, 16-20. Negative pressure wound therapy, also referred to as topical negative pressure therapy, is a useful treatment for a variety of acute and chronic wounds and, unlike many other wound treatments and dressings, has a relatively good evidence base to demonstrate its effectiveness. This article considers its application in both primary and acute care. W ound healing does not always follow a simple path; some acute wounds fail to heal and some become chronic. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) can be used to aid healing in acute, chronic, closed incisional, closed skin graft and open abdomen wounds. Unlike many other wound treatments and dressings, it has a relatively good evidence base to demonstrate its effectiveness, but manufacturers list some contraindications and situations requiring caution (Box 1). Negative pressure (suction) is applied to the wound bed through a foam or gauze contact medium using an electrically, battery or mechanically powered pump; this involves achieving an airtight, vacuum, seal. The benefits of NPWT include: enhanced healing and granulation tissue formation (Othman, 2012; Schintler, 2012); management of highly exuding wounds (Schintler, 2012; Mouës et al, 2011); reduced dressing changes compared with more conventional dressings (Wu and Armstrong, 2008); reduced nurse time (Dowsett et al, 2012); reduced costs (Othman, 2012); and improved quality of life (Othman, 2012). The treatment is thought to assist healing by providing a moist environment and removing interstitial fluid and exudate (Schintler, 2012; Mouës et al, 2011); and enhancing granulation tissue formation (Schintler, 2012), angiogenesis (Mouës et al, 2011) and tissue perfusion (Schintler, 2012; Mouës et al, 2011). Others have reported fluctuations in blood flow (Borgquist et al, 2011; Malmsjö et al, 2009a), which may be useful in patients with compromised vascularity. Until recently, funding for NPWT was restricted to the acute sector, but it is increasingly available in the community due to the introduction of competing devices, the availability of consumable dressings on prescription, and the drive to prevent hospital admissions and facilitate early discharge. However, access in community setting is variable (Othman, 2012). 5 key points 1 Negative pressure wound therapy has been found to aid healing in many complex wounds The therapy can be used in both acute and community settings Practitioners using NPWT must be trained to use the specific device Patient selection must involve assessing a range of factors in addition to the wound requiring treatment NPWT must be applied carefully to avoid damaging the wound bed or causing pressure damage to the surrounding skin 2 3 4 5 Dressings A range of studies evaluating gauze-based and foam-based NPWT have considered the difference in tissue formation (Malmsjö et al, 2012; Fraccalvieri et al, 2011a) and deformation (Malmsjö et al, 2012), healing rates (Dorafshar et al, 2012); pain at dressing change (Dorafshar et al, 2012; Fraccalvieri et al, 2011b), contraction (Anesäteret al, 2011; 16 Nursing Times 04.09.12 / Vol 108 No 36 / www.nursingtimes.net Promoting wound healing using a gauze-based dressing Nursing Practice Innovation Malmsjö et al, 2009b), scar tissue depth (Fraccalvieri et al, 2011a), and effect on microvascularity (Malmsjö et al, 2009a). Little difference has been demonstrated between the two, although patient-reported pain on dressing change has been consistently significantly lower with gauze (Dorafshar et al, 2012; Fraccalvieri et al, 2011b). The use of gauze also requires fewer dressing changes and, without the need to sculpt the foam, less nursing time at dressing change (Dorafshar et al, 2012). Patient selection Patients whose wounds are suitable for NPWT need to be assessed for their ability to live with the device. The following factors should be considered: » Level of mobility and risk of tripping – drain tubes can create a trip hazard for those with reduced mobility, who may also find the larger pumps too cumbersome; » Level of cognitive ability and risk of pulling the dressing or tubes off; » Mental health status and ability and willingness to adhere to the treatment regimen – which involves wearing the pump at all times and having two or three dressing changes a week, and to care for the pump; » Position of wound or wounds and the ability to obtain and maintain a seal; » Pain at dressing changes – some patients may need nitrous oxide for pain relief, or if this is ineffective or unavailable (for example in community settings) it may be necessary to discontinue NPWT. Dressing application The application of NPWT dressings is not difficult but it requires an understanding of how the therapy works and training in the use of the specific device. Staff undertaking dressing changes should have the appropriate knowledge and training – poor dressing technique can lead to wound complications or breaches in the seal. The wound is filled with gauze or foam, depending on the device used, then a drain is applied to facilitate the application of negative pressure and remove wound exudate. Drains are either inserted into the wound filler or on top, again depending on the device. Any areas of undermining, tracks or sinuses must be fully explored and filled to ensure negative pressure is achieved at these deepest areas. Practitioners applying NPWT must ensure that: » Healthy skin is not damaged by contact with foam, gauze or drains; BOX 1. CONTRAINDICATIONS AND CAUTIONS Contraindications ● Wounds involving untreated osteomyelitis ● Wounds exposing blood vessels or organs or with an unexplored fistula ● Wounds including open joint capsules ● Skin malignancy and excised skin malignancy – except for palliative care ● Wounds with necrotic tissue Cautions ● Wounds with visible fistula ● Wounds with exposed bone or tendon ● Clotting disorder (risk of bleeding) ● Compromised micro-vascular blood flow to wound Source: European Wound Management Association (2007) » Exposed tissues such as tendon or bone are not damaged; » Dressing materials are not left to embed into granulation tissue; » Drains do not cause pressure damage; » Patients and staff are familiar with the functionality of the pump; » Foam/gauze does not come into contact with intact skin; » Intact skin is lined with film dressing if foam needs to extend onto it, for example with small wounds or when bridging more than one wound; » When more than one piece of foam or gauze are used no gaps are left between the pieces; » An airtight seal is created using film dressing (Chariker et al, 1989) – this may require adhesive gel provided by the manufacturer or stoma paste to help facilitate a seal in awkward areas of the body (Fig 1); » For drains secured on top of the dressing, if the drain port is larger than the wound, it must not extend beyond the dressing margin onto skin, to prevent pressure damage. The use of a low-adherent liner dressing became standard practice when using foam because it prevented the foam adhering to the wound bed. However, Jones et al (2005) demonstrated that liner dressings can reduce the level of pressure delivered to the wound bed. They are unnecessary unless bowel, tendon or bone is being protected or dressing adherence causes painful dressing changes. Care must be taken to ensure that all liner is 18 Nursing Times 04.09.12 / Vol 108 No 36 / www.nursingtimes.net removed at dressing change, as there has been a reported case of liner dressing growing into the wound and scar tissue (Tan et al, 2009). Cutting gauze or foam should be carried out away from the wound as this can leave fragments in the wound, which can become embedded in healing granulation tissue. Carving foam is a skilled procedure as it involves creating a shape that fits into the wound contours. If more than one piece of foam is used it is important to document how many so they can be counted out at dressing change. The wound bed should be thoroughly examined for flecks of foam or threads of gauze at dressing change so that these can be removed. It is also necessary to secure drains at the exit point of the dressing to help obtain a seal and to prevent skin damage due to pressure at the exit point. NPWT in community settings The introduction of NPWT in community settings means patients with chronic and complex wounds can be treated at home, and also facilitates early discharge. The pathway in Fig 2 is an example of a community provider that purchased 18 NPWT devices and uses an online ordering system for the provision of dressings (Knight, 2010). Nine devices are held in locations throughout the organisation across the integrated care team (ICT) bases. These teams include community nurses, community assessment team and community matrons as well as other therapy and liaison nurses based within the local acute hospital. Nine devices are stored in the tissue viability centre for the initiation of therapy as required in the community. The pathway was designed to ensure that patients with NPWT initiated in hospital can be discharged home and receive equitable care. However, it is extremely important that any potential risks or hazards are identified for patients Fig 1. Stoma paste around wound edge Nursing Practice Innovation FIG 2. COMMUNITY NPWT PATHWAY Referral from ward to ICT team via liaison/discharge team Discharge team/liaison inform patient that the device will be changed in the community Discharge team/liaison send referral to local ICT and copy to tissue viability team ICT arrange date and time for changeover of hospital rental device at patient’s home within three days of discharge ICT takes out device with appropriate dressings. Wound and risk assessment completed; any risk or potential risk documented and appropriate action taken. Patient/carer given written information and contact numbers Hospital device cleaned and returned immediately after changeover Each time a device is used details are entered on a NPWT spreadsheet on a shared drive to track and monitor the device ICT contacts tissue viability for joint visit and to agree the care plan. Timescales for review documented in the care plan depending on patient needs. Decision to stop therapy agreed with tissue viability team, ICT or responsible medical practitioner where appropriate Owned device and accessories cleaned and returned to ICT base. The ICT team is responsible for maintaining devices and ensuring accessories/leads are returned receiving therapy at home including clinical suitability for NPWT (European Wound Management Association, 2007). The risk of accidents and misuse can be reduced by ensuring the following points are considered: » Community staff delivering NPWT are trained by the tissue viability team in partnership with the appropriate manufacturer; » Staff are familiar with local guidance and have been assessed by the tissue viability team as competent to carry out a wound assessment; » Staff are aware of local infection prevention guidelines, wear protective gloves and aprons when changing the dressing or canister, and clean the equipment appropriately; » Patients receive an information leaflet and contact details for reporting faults or clinical issues; » Equipment is maintained and serviced according to manufacturers’ guidance; » The device can be plugged in to an electricity supply where necessary, without the use of extension leads to avoid causing a trip hazard; » Patients are advised to be careful if they have animals or small children as unpredictable behaviour may lead to accidents. Conclusion NPWT is a useful and effective wound treatment that can be applied in both the community and hospital setting. Collaborative working between acute and primary care can ensure a seamless care pathway for patients who will benefit from this therapy. However, there are risks associated with NPWT, not all of which have been fully explored in this article, that need to be considered before using it. The range of devices available today means NPWT can be accessible to patients in any setting. NT References Anesäter E et al (2011) The influence of different 20 Nursing Times 04.09.12 / Vol 108 No 36 / www.nursingtimes.net sizes and types of wound fillers on wound contraction and tissue pressure during negative pressure wound therapy. International Wound Journal; 8: 4, 336-342. Borgquist O et al (2011) Measurements of wound edge microvascular blood flow during negative pressure wound therapy using thermodiffusion and transcutaneous and invasive laser Doppler velocimetry. 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