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Hey MAC, you are not an innocent bystander

Introduction

Atherosclerotic disease, intimal calcification, is one cause of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and is the most referenced. Vascular calcification is a pathology in the vascular system with various forms. The first description of medial sclerosis in blood vessels of the extremities, now known as Monckeberg's sclerosis, appeared in the medical journal Virchows Archiv in Berlin (1903).1 Silbert et al. (1953) described this form of medial artery calcification (MAC) as having no symptoms or signs of impaired circulation.2 However, new research is bringing forth clinical data that shows MAC, in the absence of atherosclerosis, is an equal contributor to PAD.

Medial artery calcification (MAC) 

Both intimal calcification and MAC contribute to non-healing wounds in critical limb ischemia (CLI) and PAD patients; but they are independent disease states and driven by different and distinct processes. Patients can experience PAD symptoms without intimal calcification or luminal stenosis. MAC patients can have classical intermittent claudication pain up to 30% of the time, yet most individuals do not experience or identify any leg pain. Severe MAC is associated with diabetic nephropathy, retinopathy, and macrovascular complications. A diagnosis can be made via radiographic findings or from the use of ultrasound (US). One recent study found that ultrasound (US), an affordable, simple, and reliable test, is a more sensitive imaging technique than conventional radiography to detect lower limb MAC, potentially making it an excellent tool to identify high-risk wound care patients, especially those with DM and CKD.5, 7

It is widely recognized that DM patients demonstrate calcification of the arteries below the knee. Vessel occlusion due to thrombus is common, yet, 67% of occlusive thrombi occur without a significant atherosclerotic plaque or intimal stenosis.4 Most atherosclerotic sclerotic blockages occur in the arteries above the knee, while MAC-related thrombus was found in arteries below the knee. Patients with intimal and MAC peripheral arterial disease are at a higher risk of developing peripheral wounds, digit/foot tissue loss, and higher amputation rates for the lower extremity. Due to arteriole stiffness, decreased arterial compensation reduces tissue perfusion, leading to microcirculatory distortion. A pilot study found that a contrast-free MRI showed impaired calf muscle perfusion in people with diabetes and MAC.5 One of the possible explanations is that patients with tibial artery calcification have microvascular disease that leads to altered skeletal muscle perfusion, and exercise vasodilation is compromised in the medial and small arterioles with reduced capacitance due to the rigid microvascular structures. Ultimately, increased arterial stiffness reduces the downstream blood flow and skeletal muscle microcirculation, even without intimal calcification or stenosis. MAC is a poly-vascular disease with genetic, epigenetic, age, and disease-related mechanisms of action.

Vitamin K2

Vitamin K2 may be a significant player in the cardiovascular health of patients. Arterial stiffness is a surrogate marker for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Recent evidence shows that vitamin K-dependent proteins play a vital role in cardiovascular disease. One such protein that has a pivotal role is the Matrix Gala protein (MGP). It is commonly considered the most potent inhibitor of vascular calcification, along with Bone Gala protein/osteocalcin. Some exciting research is on the horizon regarding wound care patients and the correlations between arterial stiffness, endothelial dysfunction, and wound healing. There may be a relationship between vitamin K2-MK7-dependent regulation of endothelial function via the MGP to inhibit osteogenic properties in vascular endothelial cells. Long-term depletion of vitamin K in patients on anticoagulation therapy have noted significant vascular calcifications. Nevertheless, despite a significant reduction in the biomarker, MGP, two large studies failed to demonstrate any improvement in vascular calcification with supplemental vitamin K2-MK7.6

Conclusion

Vascular calcification was initially considered a byproduct of aging. However, we are now learning it is a highly regulated cell-mediated pathway. In 2015, O'Neil et al. published the first histopathological study on MAC and amputated limbs from patients with critical limb ischemia.3,5,7 Their findings noted that nearly all the vessels in the lower extremity arteries showed intimal thickening and luminal narrowing. Yet, there were low or no lipids present in the narrow areas. Around 72% of the arteries had MAC, and only 43% had intimal calcification.3,4,6,7,8 In the areas with intimal calcification, it was contiguous with MAC and precipitated along the elastic lamina within the vessels. Perhaps, vessel wall stiffening alone can trigger a sudden lack of blood flow. With a new understanding of MAC, we might be able to assist our patients with PAD via an affordable and safe option, like Vitamin K2-MK7; providing us with a viable and promising pathway to improve the vascular health of our wound care patients.

References:

  1.  Mönckeberg JG. Uber die reine Mediaverkalkung der Extremitätenarterien und ihr verhalten zur Arteriosklerose. Virchows Arch Pathol Anat. 1903;171:141–67. doi: 10.1007/BF01926946.
  2. Silbert, S., Lippmann, H.I. and Gordon, E., 1953. Monckeberg's arteriosclerosis. Journal of the American Medical Association, 151(14), pp.1176-1179.
  3. O’Neill, W.C., Han, K.H., Schneider, T.M. and Hennigar, R.A., 2015. Prevalence of nonatheromatous lesions in peripheral arterial disease. Arteriosclerosis, thrombosis, and vascular biology, 35(2), pp.439-447.
  4. St Hilaire C. Medial Arterial Calcification: A Significant and Independent Contributor of Peripheral Artery Disease. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2022 Mar;42(3):253-260. doi: 10.1161/ATVBAHA.121.316252. Epub 2022 Jan 27. PMID: 35081727; PMCID: PMC8866228.
  5. Zheng J, Li R, Zayed MA, Yan Y, An H, Hastings MK. Pilot study of contrast-free MRI reveals significantly impaired calf skeletal muscle perfusion in diabetes with incompressible peripheral arteries. Vasc Med. 2021 Aug;26(4):367-373. doi: 10.1177/1358863X21996465. Epub 2021 Mar 22. PMID: 33749394; PMCID: PMC8822493.
  6. Hariri E, Kassis N, Iskandar JP, Schurgers LJ, Saad A, Abdelfattah O, Bansal A, Isogai T, Harb SC, Kapadia S. Vitamin K2-a neglected player in cardiovascular health: a narrative review. Open Heart. 2021 Nov;8(2):e001715. doi: 10.1136/openhrt-2021-001715. PMID: 34785587; PMCID: PMC8596038.
  7. Baubeta Fridh E, Andersson M, Thuresson M, Sigvant B, Kragsterman B, Johansson S, Hasvold P, Falkenberg M, Nordanstig J. Amputation Rates, Mortality, and Pre-operative Comorbidities in Patients Revascularised for Intermittent Claudication or Critical Limb Ischaemia: A Population Based Study. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg. 2017 Oct;54(4):480-486. doi: 10.1016/j.ejvs.2017.07.005. Epub 2017 Aug 7. PMID: 28797662.
  8. Suzuki E, Kashiwagi A, Nishio Y, Egawa K, Shimizu S, Maegawa H, Haneda M, Yasuda H, Morikawa S, Inubushi T, Kikkawa R. Increased arterial wall stiffness limits flow volume in the lower extremities in type 2 diabetic patients. Diabetes Care. 2001 Dec;24(12):2107-14. doi: 10.2337/diacare.24.12.2107. PMID: 11723092. 

Now is the season to … SHOW YOUR TOES!


The summer season is upon us, lending good reasons to take off your shoes and SHOW YOUR TOES. It could be taking a walk on a sandy beach or kicking back in a favorite chair by the pool with your feet up. No matter what the reason may be, the AAWC is highlighting a very important reason for you to take your socks and shoes off this month and show your toes

Please JOIN THE AAWC as we celebrate this month by showing your toes through candid photos as you learn more about different arterial and vascular diseases that can be detected through the current condition of your feet. We encourage you, your friends and your family to join this important effort.
Share photos of toes and feet all month long, along with this article to bring awareness to the importance of allowing your doctor to inspect your feet and toes at each visit. Use the following hashtags with each post and share as many photos of as you wish: 
  • #showyourtoes
  • #sockitTOEme 
  • #saveyourtoes
 Use this link if you would like for us to post your photos for you:

Why Show Your Toes?

According to The American Heart Association (AHA), removing one’s socks and shoes to allow the doctor to check the feet for sores, skin color changes and numbness, might just save the limbs or life by detecting issues that are often hidden without this inspection. Underlying problems often present on the feet first. Early detection of abnormal signs leading to disease might help prevent any irreversible conditions. 

Why you need to show your toes:
  1. Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) affects approximately eight and a half million Americans (per the American Heart Association). PAD narrows the arteries to the legs, stomach, arms and head within the upper and lower extremities. This narrowing of the arteries, called atherosclerosis, is caused by plague (fatty deposits) buildup in the arteries which prevents oxygen from moving through the arteries to get to other vital organs, including the skin.

    Symptoms may include cramping, pain or weakness in the legs while walking, climbing stairs or other types of exercise that require more blood flow through the limbs. These symptoms stop when the extra demand from exercise stops or the body is at rest. NOTE: Nearly half of the patients diagnosed with PAD do not show any symptoms, yet show functional impairment when tested. Thus, several people are walking around undiagnosed! 

  2. Other diseases or conditions that can be detected are diabetic foot ulcers and peripheral neuropathy (burning, stinging or numbness of the feet and toes), plus any sensation that makes one feel off balance. A doctor can test for diminished sensation in the feet and toes.

  3. Coronary artery or heart disease is noticeable with skin color and texture changes [skin could become shiny, tight and discolored] thereby helping your doctor diagnose the cause.

    Other signs that arterial narrowing could be present is a lack of hair and nail growth along with atrophy in the muscles of the lower extremities and feet.

  4. Your doctor has many tests that can help evaluate your condition so you can receive treatment that may protect you from progression of disease or relieve symptoms. 
If symptoms are not typical and persist when at rest (called “rest pain”), a doctor may be able to help avoid a more serious issue that could lead to the loss of a limb, so showing your toes is vital!
 
Arterial or vascular disease high-risk factors include high blood pressure, diabetes, or habits such as smoking or poor diets high in fats that elevate cholesterol levels. Other common risk factors include: sex, ethnicity, older age and renal insufficiency; and sometimes pregnancy complications.

Several tests are available to diagnose disease. During an exam, your doctor will perform the following:
  • Check for weak pulses
  • Listen for poor blood flow in the legs
  • Examine and look for any problems on the legs and feet, including hair loss, cold or pale skin and nail growth
Your doctor might also order the following tests/procedures:
  • Blood tests to test cholesterol levels, triglycerides and blood sugar levels
  • Ankle-brachial index test (a vascular test to compare blood pressure in the ankle with the blood pressure in the arm, thereby detecting PAD)
  • Doppler ultrasound to locate those areas with reduced blood flow (blockages) in leg arteries
  • Angiography imaging using contrast dye to specifically locate any blockages

Join the AAWC in helping bring awareness for cardiovascular health and overall quality of life when you SHOW YOUR TOES!

Show Your Toes

On your next annual exam, show your toes. Often, patients overlook, cannot see, or do not recognize a problem. The toes, feet, and legs tell a story about chronic conditions like peripheral vascular disease and Diabetes. Early detection can lead to eliminating preventable amputations.  

According to the American Heart Association, "Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is often used interchangeably with the term, peripheral vascular disease (PVD). PAD stems from structural changes in the blood vessels resulting from fatty buildup (atherosclerosis) in the inner walls of the arteries. These deposits hinder and block normal blood flow."

Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is an overarching term encompassing vascular diseases resulting from circulatory dysfunction caused by damage to arteries or veins. The most common types of PVD are peripheral artery disease (PAD), chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). There are several signs of vascular complications.

Vascular Disease and The 6P's:
  • Pulselessness - lack of blood flow in the circulation of the large arteries
  • Poikilothermic - decreased skin temperature
  • Pallor - paleness due to a reduced blood supply to the skin
  • Paralysis - the loss of the ability to move a part of the body
  • Paresthesia - burning, prickling, or numb sensation 
  • Pain - no definition needed
Patients and healthcare providers should look for changes in the skin, such as pale or blue toes instead of pink; or increased darkness/pigmentation in dark-skinned patients.  Similarly, thin, brittle, dry, cracked, leathery, shiny, waxy skin on the legs and feet are signs of PVD. Sometimes, a person may start with eczema, a rash, or itchy skin. These may develop due to insufficient blood and oxygen supply to the skin.

Weak pulses or pulselessness in the legs and the feet, including decreased skin temperature, can lead to gangrene, dead tissue due to lack of blood flow. In addition, paresthesia, the loss of sensation to the area, and paralysis, loss of function, usually accompany gangrene. Wounds or sores may develop on the toes, feet, or legs that may bleed, be intensely painful, and slow to heal. Poor blood flow to the skin and surrounding tissue hinders the body's healing ability.

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a complication of diabetes. The prevalence of Diabetes in the US is currently 11.3% of the US, and 38.0% of the adult US population is prediabetic. Furthermore, 48.8% of 65 years or older will be diabetic. Therefore, one person in a senior couple will have Diabetes.  

The signs of diabetes are similar to PVD, but they have the added complication of neuropathy. Neuropathy is the loss of proper sensation, therefore if a person cannot feel pain, they may not know they have a problem or injury. This can cause a delay in their response to seek treatment.

The signs of diabetes-related neuropathy may include:
  • Significant changes to the skin or toenails, including cuts, blisters, calluses, or sores
  • Discharge of fluid/pus or foul-smelling wound
  • Redness and swelling in a joint, like the midfoot or ankle
  • Hyperpigmented or darkened skin on the affected area
  • Corns or calluses are spots of rough skin caused by too much rubbing or pressure in the same spot
  • Warm spots, areas of increased pressure
  • Ingrown toenails
  • Inability to sense hot or cold
  • Burning, numbness & tingling in the feet or legs

Showing your toes needs to be a part of your annual exam, because you may know or not know you have a problem, like PAD or diabetes. More importantly, serious foot problems like these can lead to amputations. Let's work to eliminate preventable amputations.

Please join AAWC during the month of July for our #ShowYourToes challenge! Post a photo of toes to social media with the hashtags #showyourtoes #sockitTOEme #saveyourtoes. Or, submit your photo, and we will post for you to the AAWC channels directly. Thank you for helping to spread awareness of this important issue!
 
For more information on this and related topics, be sure to register for the AAWC Annual Conference November 10-12 in Salt Lake Cityhttps://www.aawconline.org/2022-annual-conference

 

The Influence of Methamphetamine (Meth) on Wound Healing

Introduction

Because of my son's hardships with meth addiction and assault wounds while incarcerated over the last decade, I decided to be transparent and use my personal experiences and knowledge in the wound care specialty to provide a different perspective. Wound care professionals often highlight how chronic wounds are a public health crisis. However, substance abuse is also a public health crisis that many do not want to discuss. They both have a direct impact on millions of Americans each year. Consider how substance abusers are more likely to develop diabetes, vascular disease, and wound chronicity. We, as healthcare professionals, need to expand our views and our efforts.

Meth-related Wound Challenges 

Meth-related wounds are a significant wound care problem in various clinical care settings. Many nursing facilities around the country refuse to accept such patients, frequently due to stigma, staff training shortages, and liability. Nurse case managers have reported that it is virtually impossible to find placement for these patients. ₃

Additionally, the annual expense of treating meth-associated chronic wounds is a significant financial burden on our healthcare system. While there is a wealth of evidence addressing the behavioral and cognitive impairments produced by meth use in drug users, there is a shortage of information regarding the drug's effect on wound healing and inflammation. ¹ 

Side Effects of Meth 

Methamphetamine (meth) is believed to be used by 35 million people worldwide, including over 10 million users in the United States. Chronic meth addiction and dependence can have several harmful physical and cognitive health consequences. Because the central nervous system contains a high quantity of dopamine, injecting drugs such as meth generates almost immediate euphoric effects. Notably, everyday meth users frequently experience formication, a sensation that feels like insects crawling on or beneath the skin (referred to as meth mites, meth bugs, ice mites, or crank bugs). As a result of formication, users engage in persistent dermotillomania (skin picking, excoriation), resulting in the creation of ulcers that frequently scar. A severe lack of cleanliness among users may also be associated with increased risks of skin infections.

Chronic Conditions in Meth Users

Adults who use methamphetamine are nearly twice as likely to have multiple comorbidities, more than three times as likely to have mental illness, and more than four times as likely to have a substance use disorder, compared to adults who did not. Many people struggle with a combination of medical, mental, and substance use disorders, sometimes all three at the same time. Researchers found that methamphetamine users had a greater prevalence of liver disease (hepatitis or cirrhosis), lung disease (COPD or asthma), and HIV/AIDS among the chronic illnesses evaluated. Additionally, researchers discovered that people who used methamphetamine had a significantly higher risk of developing substance use disorders (SUD) than those who used heroin, prescription stimulants, prescription opioids, cocaine, or sedatives. ₄

Recent Research 

Recent research data indicate that mice treated with meth had a lower ability to repair wounds. Meth stimulates the production of IL-6 in skin tissue, and higher levels of this cytokine may have a direct role in inflammation. Dopamine, which can activate inflammatory cells, may control IL-6. There is a correlation between the effects of leukocyte recruitment and the increase of IL-6 production via dopaminergic activation, thereby aggravating the inflammatory response and prolonging wound healing. There is limited research on the effect of meth use on immunological function, although it appears to have a profound impact on host immunity. ¹ 

Results in How Meth Alters Wound Healing

  • Impairs wound healing by mediating host matrix metalloproteinase-2 collagen degradation²
  • Promotes apoptosis in thymic and splenic lymphocytes when injected 25 mg/kg of body weight into rats¹
  • Decreases thymic and splenic cellularity and affects peripheral T lymphocyte populations in mice¹
  • Damages the mitochondria and causes primary human T cells to malfunction. ¹
  • Increases MRSA burden¹
  • Alters wound healing¹ ²
  • Decreases the number of phagocytic cells in the blood of treated BALB/c mice. ¹ ²
  • Enhances S. aureus biofilm formation²
  • Affects murine neutrophil functions²
  • Impedes the effector functions of human neutrophils²
  • Weakens macrophage function ²
  • Modifies cytokine expression ¹ ²

Link Between Meth Use and MRSA

Although there is a definite clinical correlation between meth use and MRSA disease, there has been no established biological link between increased susceptibility to S. aureus and a meth user's immune response and wound healing capacity. However, animal studies indicate that meth lowers both innate and adaptive immunity and affects the expression of immune cell genes. The purpose of this study was to determine whether meth enhances MRSA skin infections and to demonstrate that the drug has detrimental effects on phagocytic cells generated from humans. ²

Conclusion

Methamphetamine is a significant health concern to our society as it alters people's behavior, putting users at an increased risk of acquiring cutaneous wounds that can become chronic and infected. In the future, the new data will be used to establish realistic treatment options for preventing and managing chronic wounds in drug users. However, it is critical to treat substance abuse, mental illness, and chronic conditions simultaneously.

References

  1. Martinez, L. R. (2019, July 31). Impact of Methamphetamine Induced IL-6 Production on Wound Healing and Inflammation. Grantome NIH. https://grantome.com/grant/NIH/R15-GM117501-01A1
  2. Mihu, M., Roman-Sosa, J., & Varshney, A. (2015, October 7). Methamphetamine Alters the Antimicrobial Efficacy of Phagocytic Cells during Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Skin Infection. mBio, 6(6), 1622-15. doi:10.1128/mBio.01622-15
  3. Bond, A. (2018, April 17). Nursing homes routinely refuse people on addiction treatment. Stat News. Accessed February 10, 2022, from https://www.statnews.com/2018/04/17/nursing-homes-addiction-treatment/
  4. NYU. (2021, Jun 3) Health and Medicine. People Who Use Methamphetamine Likely to Report Multiple Chronic Conditions. https://www.nyu.edu/about/news-publications/news/2021/june/methamphetamine-multiple-chronic-conditions.html. Accessed February 8, 2022. 

 

When an Obstacle Leads to a Better Solution

Working with the wounded returning from Afghanistan during 2009 through 2011 was extremely challenging.  The wounds I saw during this time were the worst I had seen since arriving at National Naval Medical Center (NNMC), Bethesda in 2007.  The reason was partly due to the mission modification in Afghanistan by the US military in late 2009, when the Marines and Army began to engage in “dismounted” patrols or walking patrols versus patrolling in armored vehicles.  They were exposed and thus more susceptible to injury from improvised explosive devices (IEDs).  Their injuries were likely to be catastrophic because the enemy employed a technique that caused an IED to explode as the Marine/Soldier was standing directly over the device.  The explosions were devastating - these IEDs caused significant soft-tissue injuries and multiple amputations.  The force of the blast drove sand, dirt, debris, and organisms deep into the tissues, causing additional complications.

At NNMC and Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) the typical method for managing these catastrophic wounds included serial debridements and washouts in the OR followed by the application of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) using reticulated open cell foam dressings (ROCF).  At that time, the trauma teams exclusively used the ROCF dressings containing silver due to their antimicrobial properties.  However, in late 2009 the manufacturer of the ROCF dressings notified us that these dressings would not be available for at least six months.  Because of the complexity of these wounds and the high potential for infection an alternative solution was needed immediately.  We began placing thin layers/sheets of silver impregnated dressings directly in the wound bed and then applying the ROCF dressing on top.  This practice seemed to be effective but not ideal - the application process was more complicated because it was difficult to get good coverage with the silver sheet dressings.

Soon after the silver impregnated ROCF dressings were no longer available we were faced with another issue.  Combat-wounded patients began developing angio-invasive fungal infections (Aspergillus) from the soil imbedded deep in the tissues of their wounds. The next challenge was to implement a therapy that would support NPWT and provide topical antibacterial and antifungal coverage.  Our topical wound therapy included NPWT with the instillation of antimicrobial fluid directly into the wound.  Since this therapy was not frequently being used at this time, it was difficult to find more than a couple of the NPWT units equipped with this function available for use.  The next challenge was to select the appropriate solution as it needed to be antibacterial, antifungal, and non-damaging to healthy wound tissue. 

Our research led us to use a dilute Dakin’s solution of 0.025%, and the initial results were very positive.  Prior to using the Dakin’s instillation with NPWT we would observe black mold growing in the wound as soon as 2-3 days after a debridement and washout.  After initiating the Dakin’s solution as an instillation during NPWT, we no longer saw the black mold within the wound bed.  The treatment was so effective that NPWT with instillation (NPWTi) of dilute Dakin’s became the standard of care for our combat-wounded with complex soft-tissue injuries.  Additionally, the Clinical Practice Guideline for initial management of blast injuries with significant soft-tissue injury and suspected fungal infection was changed to include the use of 0.025% Dakin’s solution moistened gauze as the preferred initial dressing after debridement in the combat theatre.

We typically performed (NPWT) dressing changes 3 times a week during trips to the OR while the patient was undergoing debridements and washouts.  We found that this worked best as the wounds were very large and anesthesia was necessary.  We decreased to twice weekly as the wounds improved and the mold growth decreased.  The surgeons typically used the 0.025% Dakin’s solution until they were ready to perform a skin graft.  This time period varied from 2 to 3 weeks depending on wound progression and tissue cultures.  These wounds were heavily contaminated and often were associated with traumatic amputations.

It is important to see the recent increased attention given to the use of negative pressure wound therapy with instillation in both traumatic and chronic wounds.  The lack of availability of those silver dressings had a far-reaching impact on our care of the combat-wounded as well as future civilian wound care

CDR (Ret) David Crumbley was the Coordinator for the Complex Wound and Limb Salvage program at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center from 2008-2011.  He is currently Professor of Practice at Auburn University School of Nursing and continues to practice wound care at Baptist South Medical Center, Montgomery, Alabama.

Guidelines for Scientific Writing

The art of scientific writing has guidelines that distinguish it from literary writing, documentation, or conversation, especially when preparing a journal article for publication.  Dr. Michael Schneir of the Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, is a master of scientific writing and I was fortunate to spend over a year studying with him while preparing my first educational module. I still keep his 600+ page handbook on my desk whenever I write.  At the request of the Communications Committee, here are some of the guidelines that can help avoid the most frequent mistakes I find when editing papers.

Organization

A journal article is organized into the following headings: Abstract, Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusions or Summary, and References.  Each heading is recommended to have conceptual components with sub-headings that focus on a grouping of information, including a topic sentence and flow of information from general to specific (termed the deductive flow of information).  In producing the article, Dr. Schneir suggests doing the most objective components (e.g. tables, graphs, charts) first, followed by the narrative exposition (results), interpretation of the results (discussion), introduction to the results (introduction), and lastly, the abstract.  Because it is the second most frequently read part of the article (after the title), the abstract needs to be interesting and conceptual with the following components: background information, rationale, purpose, hypothesis, conclusion, and significance.  I remember one graduate school professor stating, “One can learn a lot from reading just the abstract.”  Make every word count!!!

Word Selection

When we had one-on-one sessions over something I had written, Dr. Schneir could spend an hour discussing the option of “a” or “the” before a noun.  For example, is it “a sample” or “the sample”?  “A” is indefinite and singular, whereas “the” is definite and can be either singular or plural and refers to a previously mentioned noun or concept.  Some other words that require careful consideration are which/that (I was often called the “which witch”!), about/concerning, among/between, thereby/thus/because, kind/type – and the list is endless!!

Another concern with word selection is to avoid using literary phrases or words, instead use medical or scientific terminology, e.g. Q-tip in medical terms is cotton-tipped applicator, bed sores are pressure injuries, nowadays is currently.  “Further” implies a distance, whereas “in addition” alerts the reader to another idea relevant to the topic.

The medical community has agreed that providers do not treat diagnoses, they treat patients who have disorders, e.g. patients with diabetes rather than diabetics. 

The use of personal pronouns in scientific writing is discouraged and can usually be avoided by changing the sentence from the active voice (using I, we, they) to the passive voice of the verb.  For example, “we saw the patient in our clinic one week later.”  The passive voice would be “the patient was seen in the clinic one week later.”  Thus, the article reads more scientifically and less like a personal journal.  In addition, words within a sentence are advised to agree in terms of numbers.  For example, after 10 treatment sessions, the patient was discharged to their homes with caretakers to provide daily dressing changes.  The patient has one home, and daily is once per day.  The sentence could be reworded this way: The patient was discharged home with a caretaker instructed to change the dressing daily.  These are very subtle innuendoes, but they become distractors to an experienced reader.

Sentence structure

Whenever possible, it is suggested to combine short, choppy sentences that have some common thread of thought into one sentence that expresses the entire conceptual idea.  For example, the following two sentences can be combined into one: The patient did not have any signs of wound infection.  The team decided not to prescribe any antibiotics for the patient. OR Because there were no signs of wound infection, antibiotics were not indicated.  This also save words and space in the article, and the reader has fewer words to process; therefore the intent is more easily grasped.

Prepositional phrases add unnecessary words to a sentence and can be avoided by transferring the objective of the preposition (a noun) before another noun, thus making it an adjective.  For example, “complications after a stroke” becomes “post-stroke complications.”

Any adjective, adverb, or descriptive phrase should be as close as possible to the noun or verb that is being modified.   And speaking of “should,” the writer does not want to sound authoritative; therefore, words such as advised, recommended, or suggested are similar alternatives that do not leave the reader feeling “preached to” by the author.

Punctuation

The most common mistake observed in punctuation is the use of a colon after “following.”  Colons are not to be used between the verb and its direct objects, but rather after “the following:” and a subsequent list of items.  For example:  Possible causes of lower extremity edema include the following: trauma, chronic venous insufficiency, medications, and congestive heart failure. 

Semicolons are used 1) to separate two independent clauses of a compound sentence, 2) to separate compound elements of a sentence when one or more of the elements contains a comma, and 3) when the elements of a sentence are long. 

Summary

In closing, I will break all of the above rules and share with you a non-scientific pearl of wisdom about writing.  Before ever putting pencil to paper or fingers to keyboard, I close my eyes and dig deep into my soul and ask, what do I really want to tell the reader?  This helps me to organize my thoughts, focus my concepts, and eliminate extraneous information. 

Any of you reading this blog have a story to tell (either a patient case, a clinical dilemma and solution, a pilot study, or organized research) that will help all of us become better clinicians for patients with wounds.  I hope this is helpful, but know that it only scratches the surface of what Dr. Schneir would tell you!!!

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The Pressure Is On: Pressure Injury Basics

Pressure Injuries are skin and/or tissue damage which occurs a result of pressure and shear forces which usually occurs over a bony prominence, for example the occiput, cheek bones, chin, shoulders, scapula, spinous process, greater trochanter, sacrum, coccyx, ischium, knee, ankle, and heel. Persons who develop pressure injuries may be chair/bedbound and/or may have some sensory deficit which may not alert the patient about the need to shift positions. Some persons are more at risk to develop a pressure injury due a medical diagnosis, such as a stroke, low or high body mass index, contractures, or a decrease in nutritional intake. By reviewing some of the basics of a pressure injury, formerly known as a pressure ulcer, one may be able to better assess those patients at risk for these skin concerns.

Contrary to popular belief, every incidence of skin breakdown is not a pressure injury. Skin tears present a challenge due to the severity that may be mistaken for a pressure injury. The International Skin Tear Advisory Panel (ISTAP) has established a separate classification for skin tears which notes skin tears as Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3. A Type I skin tears is a tear which has a skin flap which could be replaced to cover the wound.  A Type 2 skin tear has a small skin flap, but the flap does not cover the entire wound.  Type 3 skin tears do not have a skin flap, which causes the entire wound to be visible. Another cause of skin breakdown may be moisture associated skin damage (MASD), which is caused by an overexposure of moisture to the skin and there allows for forces such as friction and shear to increase the risk of pressure injury.  The moisture may be due to urinary or fecal incontinence, wound drainage, fistula output, or perspiration. Over exposure to urinary or fecal incontinence is known as Incontinence Associated Dermatitis or IAD.   Inflammation and skin breakdown related to IAD may be misidentified as a pressure injury wound.

There are unique circumstances when a clinician may question if the wound is related to pressure or another factor. Some examples are:

  1. An immobile person may develop an area of skin breakdown due to moisture associated dermatitis coupled with the evidence of pressure injury to the bony prominence. In such an instance, the bony prominence in question may be palpated to further determine if pressure may be included as a causative factor.
  2. An ambulatory patient has a diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus and has a full thickness wound to the plantar surface of the foot.  This wound would be considered a diabetic foot wound or a neuropathic wound. Diabetic neuropathy or a decrease in sensation to the foot is the real culprit in this case, in addition to repeated mechanical forces on bony abnormalities.
  3. A paraplegic patient with a diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus now has full thickness loss to the right heel. Would the wound be considered a neuropathic wound or a pressure injury? In this case, the cause of the wound to the heel would be likely due to pressure.

Another issue which can challenge a clinician is accurately staging a pressure injury.  Only pressure injuries are staged. One would not stage an arterial wound or a surgical wound. Terms such as a partial thickness or full thickness tissue loss are used in the description of these wounds, but they would not be given a stage. Once a pressure injury is identified as a certain stage, the injury is not “back staged”. For example:

From the onset, the wound is noted to be a stage 3 pressure injury.  As the wound begins to heal, it will be noted as a stage 3 pressure injury in the proliferative or remodeling phase of healing. The wound will not progress from a stage 3, then to a stage 2 or to a stage 1 pressure injury.

Pressure Injuries Stages at a Glance:

Stage 1: Intact skin over a bony prominence with erythema that does not blanch to the touch.  Key word is INTACT. In some individuals, this site resembles a sunburn.  In darker skin persons, the site in question may not have evidence of erythema. The patient may not have an increase in pain to the site. However, the clinician may notice a difference in temperature, texture, or hardness to the area of concern and the surrounding skin when palpated.

Stage 2: Partial thickness loss usually over a bony prominence. The tissue loss extends to the dermis, but no subcutaneous tissue is observed. Blisters that contain serous or clear fluid are also defined as Stage 2. 

Stage 3: Full thickness tissue loss usually over a bony prominence. The tissue loss extends to the subcutaneous tissue. Slough, tunneling, or undermining may be noted, but no tendon, bone, or muscle is noted.

Stage 4: Full thickness tissue loss over a bony prominence with visible tendon, bone, or muscle. If cartilage is visible to areas such as the nose or ear, the wound is considered a Stage 4 pressure injury.

Unstageable pressure injuries are mostly covered by slough or eschar. The amount of tissue loss is unknown because the depth of the wound is unseen.

Device related pressure injuries are injuries caused by a medical device, such as a nasal cannula or ill-fitting thromboembolic hose.

If a wound is noted in the mouth or mucous membranes, list this wound as a mucosal injury, but do not stage this injury as a pressure wound.

In a wound with Deep Tissue Pressure Injury (DTPI), the skin is intact or there may be an intact blister that appears maroon or purple due to the deep tissue bleeding that has occurred due to the capillary disruption in the deep tissue. These wounds may evolve into a full thickness wound and become a Stage 3 or Stage 4 pressure injury.

Now that pressure injuries have been identified, as well as a few other skin concerns, the goal is to identify those patients at risk, as well as endeavor to prevent and manage these life changing skin issues for the patient! 

 

References:

Beeckman D, Campbell J, Campbell K et al. (2015).  Incontinence associated dermatitis: moving prevention forward. Proceedings of the Global IAD Expert Panel. Wounds International. https://tinyurl.com/ycmyfv2d.

FISHER, P., & HIMAN, C. (2020). Moisture-associated skin damage: a skin issue more prevalent than pressure ulcers. Wounds UK16(1), 58–63.

Gray, M. , Black, J. M. , Baharestani, M. M. , Bliss, D. Z. , Colwell, J. C. , Goldberg, M. , Kennedy-Evans, K. L. , Logan, S. & Ratliff, C. R. (2011). Moisture-Associated Skin Damage. Journal of Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing, 38(3), 233–241.  doi:10.1097/WON.0b013e318215f798.

International Skin Tear Advisory Panel (ISTAP) (n.d.). ISTAP skin tear classification. Retrieved March 15, 2021 from http://www.skintears.org/education/tools/istap-skin-tear-classification/

LeBlanc, K., Alam, T., Langemo, D., Baranoski, S., Campbell, K., & Woo, K. (2016). Clinical challenges of differentiating skin tears from pressure ulcers. EWMA Journal16(1), 17–23. 

National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel (NPIAP) (n.d.). Pressure injury stages. Retrieved March 15, 2021 from https://npiap.com/page/PressureInjuryStages

National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel (NPIAP) (2017). National Pressure Ulcer Position Statement on Staging-2017 Clarifications. Retrieved March 16, 2021 from https://cdn.ymaws.com/npiap.com/resource/resmgr/npuap-position-statement-on-.pdf

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How Does a Whole-Food Plant-Based (WFPB) Diet Work in Wound Care? Seven WFPB nutrition tips to remember in wound care.

Today, we will discuss seven WFPB nutrition tips that apply to wound care and the role of the wound care physician/practitioner in caring for a patient with a disease that can be complicated by poor diet and lifestyle habits. While reading today, take the time to reflect on what obligations we have toward those who are at risk but have not sought our help. Any wound care practice must be evidence-based. Just as prescribing services must be founded on solid evidence, the same is true for dietary advice.  Was there a sincere evaluation of the patient's nutrition status? What should be done next with this information? Should time be spent reviewing articles to place in your personal armamentarium?  Primary care physicians do not perform general surgeries or run  urinalysis; neither do they need to do their own diet counseling. That is the job of a qualified dietitian/nutritionist. The wound care practitioner simply needs to know that nutrition is important, wound healing nutritional deficiencies need correction, and clear communication with the patient is imperative, while providing a solid referral to other interdisciplinary professionals.

TIP #1: The building evidence of a healthy diet
What type of diet is recommended for a patient with a wound?
With accumulative scientific evidence supporting a healthy diet, whole-food plant-based (WFPB) diets are steadily on the rise. A WFPB diet consists of vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, nuts, seeds, herbs, and spices. The United States Department of Agriculture, American Heart Association, American Institute for Cancer Research, National Kidney Foundation, and American Diabetes Association all promote WFPB diets, and it doesn't have to be an all or nothing.  Evidence-based studies show a positive correlation between WFPB diet compliance and overall well-being.

TIP #2: WFPB benefits
Why are WFPB diets becoming more popular? 
Aside from improved healing with proper nutrition, what benefits are there to my patient? WFPB diets are associated with:

  1. Lowering overall mortality
  2. Lowering ischemic heart disease mortality
  3. Supporting a healthy weight
  4. Reducing medications
  5. Reducing obesity
  6. Reducing obesity-related inflammatory markers
  7. Reducing hyperglycemia
  8. Reducing hyperlipidemia
  9. Reducing hypertension
  10. Reversing advanced cardiovascular disease
  11. Reversing Type 2 Diabetes.

TIP #3: Protein
Can the protein needs of wound and geriatric patients be met with WFPB diets? 
Absolutely! The primary food sources for proteins are legumes (beans, lentils, peas, peanuts), nuts, seeds, and soy foods. Poor appetite and poor dentition are complications with geriatric wound care patients, making meat alternatives, such as smoothies, cooked cereals, lentil or bean-rich soups, and spreadable hummus nutritionally dense additions to their diets. Nevertheless, one must remember to temper the increased desire for a high protein wound care diet and the need to satisfy a low protein diet in chronic kidney disease patients, especially CKD Stage II and Stage III. This is similar to the scenario of a patient with severe lymphedema, aggressive congestive heart failure, or pulmonary edema.

**Brenner BM. Remission of renal disease: recounting the challenge, acquiring the goal. J Clin Invest. 2002;110(12):1753-1758. doi:10.1172/JCI17351

TIP #4: Vitamin B12
Will you have to supplement vitamin B12? 
Yes! Numerous research studies demonstrate vitamin B12 supplementation in metformin-treated type 2 diabetes patients is beneficial in order to prevent the occurrence of vitamin B12 deficiency complications.  Deficiency in the elderly population is high due to inadequate intake and malabsorption. Treatments are safe and effective for adults over 60 years, regardless of their diet. Vitamin D should also be supplemented if sun exposure is not a viable option for patients.

**Goraya N, Munoz-Maldonado Y, Simoni J, Wesson DE. Fruit and Vegetable Treatment of Chronic Kidney Disease-Related Metabolic Acidosis Reduces Cardiovascular Risk Better than Sodium Bicarbonate. Am J Nephrol. 2019;49(6):438-448. doi:10.1159/000500042


TIP #5: Nutritional Drinks
Are commercial products the only option for complete nutrition, muscle loss prevention, and wound care healing? No. Therapeutic nutrition drinks and powders have been shown to support wound healing clinically. However, eating a balanced diet high in fiber and low in animal proteins has shown to support wound healing.  For example, pumpkin seeds have one of the highest concentrations of arginine. Other foods are sesame & sunflower seeds, and tree nuts, which all have high omega-3 fatty acids. Another supplement frequently added to nutritional drinks is beta-hydroxy-beta-methyl butyrate (HMB). But is it necessary?  HMB on exercise performance and body composition did not make a difference when comparing whey, soy, or leucine-enriched soy protein. HMB helps with slowing age-related muscle loss (sarcopenia). How do you balance supplements versus instructing patients to eat healthier with a soy product?

**Wilson GJ, Wilson JM, Manninen AH. Effects of beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) on exercise performance and body composition across varying levels of age, sex, and training experience: A review. Nutr Metab (Lond). 2008;5:1. Published 2008 Jan 3. doi:10.1186/1743-7075-5-1


TIP #6: What about fats? 
A high-fatty diet and alcohol consumption delay the healing process by decreasing stimulation of collagen synthesis and reduction of granulation tissue and reepithelialization. Diabesity is the worldwide twin epidemics of obesity and diabetes. The American Heart Association recommends limiting saturated fats to less than 14 grams in a 2000 calorie daily diet. By the way, trans fats have been banned in the United States since 2018, with an extended compliance date for these foods until January 1, 2020. 

Monounsaturated fat (MUFAs) and polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs) are associated with lowering blood pressure, improving blood cholesterol levels, and decreasing the risk of heart attack and stroke.  Omega-6 PUFAs have a particular role in the structural integrity and barrier function of the skin. Omega-3 PUFAs give aid in signaling molecules that influence the inflammatory response in the skin, while MUFAs aid in angiogenesis and aid in the regulation of insulin levels and blood sugar control. 

Eating a colorful variety of WFPB foods promotes a large variety of micronutrient exposure, antioxidants, and other cellular regulatory properties such as vitamin C, calcium, iron, vitamin K, selenium, zinc, and healthy MUFAs & PUFAs. Nothing new here.  


TIP #7: Got a fiber gap?
Currently, only 5% of the United States population meets the daily target of 25 grams of fiber for women and 38 grams of fiber for men. The benefits of prescribing a high fiber diet are correlated with a reduction in comorbidities for patients with wounds. However, how does a high fiber diet help wound care patients? Well, gut bacteria of vegans produce neuroactive molecules like gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) which in turnreduces the stress response in humans, along with decreasing cortisol levels. GABA also counters high glucocorticoid levels, which impair wound healing. Overall, WFPB high fiber diets modulate GABA, which regulates blood pressure and heart rate, influences GI motility, and plays a role in anxiety, depression, pain sensation, and immune response.  Emotionally happy wound patients with reduced stress heal faster. 

**Briguglio M, Dell'Osso B, Panzica G, et al. Dietary Neurotransmitters: A Narrative Review on Current Knowledge. Nutrients. 2018;10(5):591. Published 2018 May 10. doi:10.3390/nu10050591

**Ebrecht M, Hextall J, Kirtley LG, Taylor A, Dyson M, Weinman J. Perceived stress and cortisol levels predict speed of wound healing in healthy male adults. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2004;29(6):798-809. doi:10.1016/S0306-4530(03)00144-6


Finally, the wrap-up,  I hope this stimulates your view into the world of nutrition, WFPB, and patient care. Jump into your research and become a student in the adventure toward better patient care. None of the information is new, but the POV might be. History has taught us that Occam's razor or law of parsimony states, "plurality should not be posited without necessity" --  translation -- The state of fact should not be assumed as a fact.

It's all about the simplicity of two competing theories; the simpler explanation of an entity is to be preferred. 

Unhealthful eating habits affect the whole family. Medications are no substitute for dietary interventions.

 
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AAWC Shares A Common Mission

The Association for the Advancement of Wound Care (AAWC) is a society of wound care providers from a variety of clinical specialties, backgrounds, and levels of expertise. Each member brings their unique perspective, experiences, and insights that are extremely valuable. The AAWC thrives off of this collective knowledge and welcomes all clinicians, as well as wound care industry professionals.

Our diversity is our strength. It allows our members to contribute ideas that otherwise may never have been considered or to give testimony about an experience that others may have never encountered. The AAWC is comprised of nurses, physicians, advanced practice providers, podiatrists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, professors, Ph.D. scientists, and researchers, among many other professions. Beyond these differences, our members represent various races, religions, genders, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic statuses, among other diversities.

We are all united by a common mission: to advance the care of patients with and at risk for wounds.

Together, we rise to the challenges and collaborate to identify scientifically-based practices that support decisions that will ensure the optimal outcome for our patients. The AAWC emphasizes collaborative efforts for the betterment of our members, patients, healthcare practices, and communities.

We invite you to help further our cause and join, rejoin, or renew your membership with our association. Visit our member benefits and options to learn more. 

The AAWC is here for you. We invite you to join us and contribute your insights to our association and advance the field of wound care, for a better, and more inclusive, tomorrow.

Sincerely,
The AAWC President and Communications Committee

AAWC President Ruth Bryant, Ph.D., MS, RN, CWOCN

Amanda Blackmon, PT, DPT, CWS, CSWS, CMTPT

Blair Flinn, MHA

Jenneffer Pulapaka, DPM, ACFAS, CWSP, DABMSP, FACCWS

Maria Goddard, MD, CWS, FAPWCA

Nicole Rodriguez, LPN, CWCA, WCC

Rose Hamm, PT, DPT, CWS, FACCWS

Saralyn McDade, BSN, RN,WOCN, CWCN, CSWS

Victoria Nalls, GNP-BC, CWS, ACHPN, Nurse Practitioner, Capital Caring

The Association for the Advancement of Wound Care & The Alliance of Wound Care Stakeholders

 

AAWC is a member of The Alliance of Wound Care Stakeholders, a nonprofit, multidisciplinary trade association of medical specialty societies and clinical associations whose mission is to promote quality care and access to products and services for people with wounds through effective advocacy and educational outreach in the regulatory, legislative and public arenas.

As both “watchdog” and go-to resource, the Alliance impacts clinical and procedural policies. In an effort to remove or reduce a barrier to treatment, the Alliance requested a ‘clarification’ of the non-covered surgical dressing benefit. To support the request, the Alliance conducted a teleconference with the Medical Directors from the Durable Medical Equipment Medicare Administrative Contractors (DMEMACs) and the Pricing, Data Analysis, and Coding (PDAC) Contractor. The Alliance afforded these medical directors an opportunity to interact with clinical wound care “experts”, including two AAWC Board members, who offered actual examples of patients who benefit from treatment that the proposed clarification would support.

Information sourced from the Alliance website on July 5, 2020. Please visit www.woundcarestakeholders.org for more information.

Wound Care in Crisis: Navigating unique challenges and new environments

As I watch various media cover the health care response to the COVID-19, I am reminded of my past experiences with disaster relief. Specifically, I am reminded of the opening of a Federal Medical Shelter (FMS) for special-needs evacuees during Hurricane Rita and Ike. At that time, I was deployed as an officer with the United States Public Health Service to work with fellow officers, as well as volunteers.

As a wound care nurse, I did not fully realize the impact our specialty can have during crisis response situations. After all, it had been many years since I worked as a nurse at the bedside, or in any of the intensive care units and the ER, so I did not feel that I was clinically competent to work in various situations. I was proven wrong every day, and I quickly learned that my thoughts of inadequacy were unfounded.

In September 2005, Hurricane Rita and Ike hit the southern United States. Special-needs evacuees were being sent to shelters from nursing homes, hospice, homes where the family had assisted in their care, facilities that no longer had electricity and running water, and facilities that had been physically devastated by the natural disaster. This population brought pressure injuries, feeding tubes, chronic venous insufficiency ulcers, and various other wound care complications, but their care could not stop just because they had been removed from their normal environment.

Many of the volunteers at the shelter came from various disciplines and professional backgrounds. Most did not have the clinical skills that wound care nurses possess. During my time at the FMS, I was able to put together a wound care team of physical therapists, occupational therapists, and nurses who had similar clinical wound care experience. We all understood our specific scope of practice and standards of care. Using a team approach, we were able to perform dressing changes, clinical assessments, and documentation that could not have been accomplished without our collective expertise. We also performed discharge skin assessments and created wound care plans for evacuees as they were transferred from the FMS to receiving facilities, in collaboration with case managers and social workers.

At FMS I quickly learned who my logistics and supply officers were and found out what supplies were readily available to perform wound care. I contacted product representatives and asked for any useful supplies that they could provide. Those few weeks spent in the FMS revealed my worth as a wound care specialist. I realized that wound care clinicians have a unique set of skills, no matter what comprises our clinical environment.

The biggest help came from the local wound care nurses that lived near the FMS. Their hospital had been impacted by physical damage and had no electricity. Despite their hardships, they brought the FMS extra supplies and helped when they could. I remember their generosity well, and I plan to reciprocate their kindness if the need ever arises in my community.

These are the lessons I learned when providing disaster relief… 

  • Keep yourself healthy and hydrated. Take breaks as many times as your schedule permits since work hours will be long and physically draining.
  • Be mindful of your mental health. You are exposed full-time to a lot of suffering, loss, and grieving. Take the time to find the “good” in the situations you encounter and de-stress whenever time allows.
  • Remember that you are not in it alone and that teamwork is extremely important.

One of the most impactful lessons that I have learned during my disaster response experiences is that wound care clinicians bring a unique perspective and clinical expertise to every situation. We are privileged to serve our communities, colleagues, and patients – especially when it is most needed in crises.

About the Author

Candice Cotton, RN, MSN, CWON, is a registered nurse who earned her BSN from the University of Alabama in Huntsville, Alabama, and her MSN from the University of Phoenix, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Cotton retired from the United States Public Health Service as a commissioned officer in 2011. She has worked in various clinical settings and served her last 16 years in PHS as a certified wound/ostomy nurse assigned to Navajo Area Indian Health Service, in Gallup, New Mexico. Currently, Cotton is working part-time as a wound/ostomy specialist at Huntsville Health Care Systems in their outpatient wound/ostomy clinic in Huntsville, Alabama.

A Cut Above: The Struggles of a Woundcare Provider During a Pandemic

As healthcare practitioners, COVID-19 has changed the way we practice in ways we never saw coming. It seems like overnight our world was turned upside down and with this, the way that we practice healthcare. As a physical therapist, I am very social and the personal time I spend with each of my patients is important to their overall care. While I have not given up this aspect of care by limiting exposure, I have had to change what it looks like. I have found ways to show my patients I care and to advocate for them from a distance. While COVID-19 has led to multiple struggles, it does not need to prevent us from continuing to provide quality care.

While I have always viewed it important that my patients have a thorough understanding of what they should be doing at home, it has become the most important part of my care plan. I have had to teach patients who do not feel comfortable changing their dressings how to do so to limit their exposure in the clinic. More than ever, I have become a cheerleader for these patients, encouraging them that they are capable of doing things they never thought they would have to, such as taking a lead role in their dressing management. I cannot stress enough the value of well-written instructions and pictures to help these patients out. E-visits have proved to be very beneficial as well to allow me to walk the patient through the process; though many of my patients who are getting wound care are not tech-savvy, so again I am doing a lot of coaching to help get them set-up. I go into each Zoom meeting with a mindset that I am going to need to be patient because sometimes half of the battle is getting the patient signed in. This battle is worth it because it means a lot to the patient to see your face and know that you took the extra effort to help them out. By getting the patient to a point where they are comfortable with being a part of the wound care team, we can ease some of their worries during this stressful time.

We have heard and experienced time and time again the difficulty with finding PPE to use with our patients. What has proved just as difficult for me is managing the PPE during wound care procedures. First of all, I wear glasses and with every breath I take, they fog up. It makes it very difficult to debride a wound when you cannot see it! First, I tried keeping my glasses a little farther from my face, which stopped the fog but led to my glasses falling off. I have researched multiple methods to assist with this, many of which seemed as if they would either decrease the effectiveness of my mask or leave a film on my glasses. While not 100% effective, the soapy water technique worked best for me;
“Immediately before wearing a face mask, wash the spectacles with soapy water and shake off the excess. Then, let the spectacles air dry or gently dry off the lenses with soft tissue before putting them back on. Now the spectacle lenses should not mist up when the face mask is worn,” said the study in the Annals of The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

Along with the fogging problem, allergy season is hitting my region. I am constantly fighting the urge to remove my mask and itch my nose. Unfortunately, there is no magic trick for that one, so I am just going to have to deal with it. At least I am no longer battling a double struggle with foggy glasses and allergies.

For me, the biggest challenge of all during the Pandemic has been getting in contact with other healthcare providers. We are all well aware of the importance of a team with wound care. As a physical therapist, I am unable to perform a culture without a script or prescribe an antibiotic and I must have a good physician by my side. As clinicians have decreased their hours in the clinic, it has made it very difficult to get anything done promptly. Let us use my patient, we will call her Sally, to drive this point home. Sally first started seeing me about a month ago for her venous insufficiency ulcers. During our time together, she met with a vascular surgeon and it was decided that surgery would be necessary. Unfortunately, this surgery was deemed “elective” and canceled. Due to pain, Sally could not tolerate any compression, which we all know is a vital aspect of healing these ulcers.

Our goal went from healing the wounds to wound maintenance until she could have surgery. Within the next two weeks, the wound size continued to increase, with worsening pain and erythema. It became clear that we needed a culture but I was unable to reach the dermatologist who had referred her due to his limited schedule. Her primary care physician only works one day a week, but we decided we would try to work with him to address the possible infection. Despite multiple phone calls it took over a week to get a culture for Sally. Our current system was not created to function well under a limited exposure schedule where providers are rarely checking their messages, and this led to Sally suffering. I am happy to say that, despite this struggle, there is a silver lining. Her infection was eventually addressed and the decision to postpone her surgery was reversed.

The last few weeks have been a whirlwind for the healthcare community. COVID-19 has forced us to change how we perform our jobs and how we treat our patients. While it has been a struggle, I do believe we will come out with a stronger skill set and better ability to think outside the box. I look forward to the day when we can all say, “We made it through this, and we are stronger for it!”.

About the Author 

Amanda Blackmon, PT, DPT, CWS, CSWS, is the Director of Premier Therapy Services at Premier Bone & Joint Centers. She grew up in Laramie and completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Wyoming, receiving a B.S. in Kinesiology and Health Promotion. She attended physical therapy school at Creighton University where she received her doctorate degree. Amanda is certified in dry needling, wounds, orthotics, myofascial trigger point therapy, sportsmetrics, custom splinting, neurological rehab and TMJ. Amanda is an active member of the AAWC and serves on the AAWC Communications Committee. 

Face Protection Protocol and Visuals for COVID-19 Frontline Staff

Disclaimer: This document is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice. Follow institutional policies, manufacturer recommendations and principles of sound clinical judgment. It is the responsibility of each healthcare professional to verify with their institutional infection control team that any measures taken to prevent or manage PPE-related skin injuries do not interfere with the efficacy of the PPE, nor are in conflict with any workplace policy. Individuals may require a repeat mask fit testing to ensure prevention and management efforts do not interfere with PPE efficacy. Clinicians should seal check N95 respirator masks before beginning patient care.


I am a wound care nurse practitioner at a level one trauma center in Washington DC. As my hospital started ramping up new protocols and policies for COVID-19 patients, one of the things that we looked at was proning patients without the use of specialty beds. We updated policies around protecting bony prominences and the face. We quickly started gathering supplies for this expected surge in treatment. I also was spending quite a bit of time wearing N95 masks. I had forgotten how tightly they fit on the face. The tightness is for a reason, you need the seal to prevent any bacteria or viruses from being aerosolized into your airways, however, we were looking at situations where it was highly likely that staff would need to wear these masks for hours at a time, if not their entire shift. I did a simple Google search of “nurse’s faces coronavirus” and was horrified at the skin breakdown and bruising that I saw.

I quickly realized that this was something that I could work on to help protect the faces of all of the frontline staff including nurses, physicians, respiratory therapists, and the environmental service workers who are cleaning the rooms. My goal is to prevent them from suffering a painful wound while they are trying to protect themselves. I considered my options and thought of different dressings that I had on hand in my facility and things that we could use to protect people's faces and their ears. I was noticing that people were also having a breakdown on the top of their ears and behind their ears.

With a national call to wear face masks, you have probably seen the creative things that people are doing with masks such as using buttons or paperclips to hook the elastics/ties so that it doesn't rub against the ear. I tested different products to include hydrocolloid dressings, bordered and non-bordered foam dressings, and silicone interfaces.

The critical thing that drove my decision making was that those who wear a mask need to be able to pass an N95 fit test. I spoke with my chief medical officer about my plan and he quickly approved me to continue working on this protocol. I met that day with infection control, the director of the ICU, and the manager of respiratory therapy. I underwent an extensive fit test with the protocol that I developed, and fortunately, passed. I was fit tested for approximately 20 minutes and then one of my coworkers who is a male (and has facial hair) was also fit tested for about 20 minutes and he passed. I then passed the protocol to our hospital leadership and everyone agreed that this was important, and we should roll this out immediately.

These are the protocol and visuals I created for my hospital:

There are a few key points that I would like to make:

  1.  Any protocol or dressing products that you choose to use should be fit tested to ensure that there is an appropriate seal. I recommend that you involve stakeholders in leadership such as infection control, your respiratory therapy services, and chief medical as well as chief nursing officers.
  2. When you are doing a fit test or donning an N95 mask with preventive dressings in place, it is critically important that you walk your fingers away from the bridge of your nose down the metal piece by millimeters as shown in the PDF. It is simply not enough to pinch at the top at the bridge of your nose and ensure that you have a good seal.
  3. I believe that there are plenty of products which could meet the need. In this instance, we used what we had readily available.
  4. One key consideration that I used when I was developing this protocol was the interface with the skin, as I worried that people would have adhesive skin reactions or dermatitis from using certain products. This consideration was based on my personal experience.
  5. Do not apply lotion to the face right before you are placing a dressing on your face as this could also impact the seal. The face should be clean and dry before placing any of these products on the face. Moisture and hydration are very important, and I urge you to continue to moisturize your faces after you remove your masks and no longer need to wear them for that day.

I hope that you consider using something like this in your facility to protect our frontline staff. Please feel free to use it and amend it as you see fit.

Stay safe everyone! You are all heroes.

For additional resources, visit the AAWC Wound Care and COVID-19 webpage. 

A new paradigm for diagnosis and treatment of edemas: The Endothelial Glycocalyx Layer

Introduction

Although edema can result from a variety of conditions, medications or other contributing factors, it is now understood that all edema is lymphedema through a spectrum of lymphatic insufficiency.1 This article will highlight the latest evidence supporting this paradigm shift by looking at the new understanding of hemodynamics at the Endothelial Glycocalyx Layer, and the associated links between the lymphatic and integumentary systems. Further, it will explain how this information is relevant to clinical practice to help you differentially diagnose and manage lower extremity edema.

New lymphedema paradigm

One of the most significant recent changes regarding lymphedema is a more refined explanation of fluid hemodynamics impacting our historical understanding of Starling’s Law.  Previously, it was thought that 90% of fluid moving from the blood to the interstitium was reabsorbed back into the venous end of the capillary, yet the lymphatic system was only responsible for managing 10% of the fluid load. The new paradigm of the Endothelial Glycocalyx Layer (EGL) as the gatekeeper of fluid filtration from blood capillaries explains how there is only diminishing net fluid filtration across the blood capillary bed and no reabsorption at the venous end; 100% of all interstitial fluid is reabsorbed by the lymphatic capillaries alone during homeostasis. 2-3

Acting as a complex molecular sieve, the EGL precisely regulates fluid and protein movement through the capillary wall into the tissues.4-6 Conversely, the EGL also prevents movement of proteins and fluid back into the venous side of the capillaries, even when interstitial hydrostatic pressure is increased, or tissue oncotic pressures remain higher within the blood capillaries. Thus, all fluid and proteins exiting the blood capillaries must be removed from the interstitium by the lymphatic capillaries alone.  This has led to the new understanding that all edemas are on a lymphedema continuum and represent relative lymphatic insufficiency or failure. 1,7 The system is either temporarily overwhelmed (transient lymphedema/dynamic insufficiency) or the system is abnormally developed, damaged or permanently impaired leading to the disease of chronic lymphedema (mechanical lymphatic failure).

Lymphedema pathophysiology

The lymphatic system is analogous to the body’s sewer or recycling system.  It is responsible for maintaining fluid homeostasis by managing interstitial fluid and mobilizing waste products (proteins, senescent cells, macromolecules, etc.).  The lymphatic system is also tasked with the absorption and transportation of lipids and fatty acids to the circulatory system, and transporting antigens, antigen-presenting cells and other immune cells to the lymph nodes where adaptive immunity is stimulated.  Collectively, all components within the fluid transported by the lymphatic system are called the “lymphatic load”.9

Pathophysiologically, chronic lymphatic dysfunction or failure presents unique changes affecting the integumentary system.  When the lymphatic load is not readily reabsorbed by the lymphatic system from the interstitial tissues, a pathohistological state of chronic inflammation results. Free radicals trapped in the tissues denature proteins and oxidize cell membranes attracting monocytes to the area that differentiate into macrophages. These macrophages take in proteins through pinocytosis, which activates the macrophages to release cytokines. This, in turn, activates fibroblasts, which are stimulated to produce excess collagen.8,9 Excess collagen formation causes connective tissue proliferation and fibrosis resulting in the thickened, fibrotic skin and wart-like projections (papillomatosis and verrucous) commonly seen with chronic lymphedema.10 Additionally, other fibroblasts differentiate into adipocytes.9 If treatment is not implemented, the chronic inflammatory process persists and the clinical presentation eventually can result in enlargement of the body part, thickened and fibrotic dermal and subcutaneous tissues, and other significant integumentary changes.11

Disorders of the lymph system, whether systemic (macro-lymphedema) or localized (micro-lymphedema), produce cutaneous regions susceptible to infection, inflammation and carcinogenesis.10,12-13 The inter-relationship of the lymphatic and integumentary systems is starting to become more readily appreciated as a functional lymphatic system is essential to an organism’s overall health given its role in fluid homeostasis, removal of cellular debris and mediating immunity and inflammation.14 The chronic inflammation resulting from lymphedema creates a region of cutaneous immune deficiency or a localized skin barrier failure.  The associated abnormalities are called lymphostatic dermopathy, which is the failure of the skin as an immune organ.10,12-13 Because of this, alterations in skin integrity, recurrent infections (commonly cellulitis), venous dermatitis, diminished wound healing, various dermatological conditions, and even skin malignancies become more prevalent highlighting the inter-connectedness of the lymphatic and integumentary systems.10,12-13 Impairment or dysfunction in one system leads to associated complications in the other.

Edema/lymphedema examination

In combination with a comprehensive medical history and medical workup, a physical exam of the edema and its characteristics is essential. This exam should include the following simple tests. First, observe the extremity for subtle changes in contours indicative of edema and note any associated skin changes. Listen to the patient. Often, they will feel a heaviness or fullness in their limb before noticeable clinical signs. Next, cradle and gently palpate the limb circumferentially as you slowly move up from the toes or fingers to the groin or shoulder. Manually identify areas that feel full, taught, edematous or fibrotic. Next, perform the Bjork Bow Tie Test in these areas.

The Bjork Bow Tie Test is an expanded version of the Stemmer’s Test.15,16 The Stemmer’s Test is performed by pinching the skin at the base of the second toe or middle finger.17 If the skin can be lifted and pinched, the test is negative. A negative test does not exclude lymphedema. Thickened skin with fibrotic soft tissue changes will not lift and approximate when pinched and thus produce a positive test. The Stemmer’s Test is never falsely positive and leads to a definitive diagnosis of lymphedema.9,17 However, a limitation of the Stemmer’s Test is that, by definition, it is to be performed on the toe or finger only. And, based on the new paradigms of the microcirculation and definitions of lymphedema, all swelling can technically be diagnosed as lymphedema. The question is, what type of treatment intervention should follow? Thus, the Bjork Bow Tie Test was developed to expand the application of a Stemmer’s type test to any area of the body, as well as identify soft tissue changes, such as fibrotic tissue, that may warrant interventions to help remodel the soft tissue back to a normalized state.15,16

Unlike past perceptions of lymphedema presenting as gross swelling, marked fibrotic soft tissue changes or disfigurement, the subtle dermal changes are most important in early diagnosis and recommendations for care. To perform the Bjork Bow Tie Test, in one maneuver, gently pinch, roll and twist the skin between the thumb and pointer finger, noting the quality of tissue texture and thickness. Healthy skin can be lifted and pinched, should feel slippery between the layers when rolled, and produce a “bow-tie” of wrinkles when twisted. Skin that tests positive will be thickened, less pliable, less able to be pinched and lifted, more difficult to twist, and produce limited “Bow Tie” of wrinkles. A positive test indicates signs of thickening and fibrotic tissue texture changes as a result of lymphedema-induced chronic inflammation. Figure 1 demonstrates how to perform the Bjork Bow Tie Test and the difference between a negative and a positive test.

In addition to tissue texture changes, circumferences or girth can be measured using a cloth tape measure. For more precise measurement, new scanning technologies are emerging that scan a limb within minutes using an iPhone or iPad interface, create a 3-D avatar of the limb, as well as calculate volumes.18 In addition, breast and truncal edema can be measured and quantified using a hand-held, pocket-sized moisture meter that objectively measures the moisture content of affected versus unaffected areas.19 This can assist in objectively identifying areas of lymphedema that are often subtle or subclinical.

Lymphedema diagnosis

According to the new microcirculation paradigm, all patients presenting with swelling do in fact have lymphedema to some degree. The lymphatic system may be overwhelmed resulting in transient lymphedema (i.e., ankle sprain, CHF) or the system may be damaged leading to the disease of lymphedema.  Even when no swelling is present, risk factors may be identified leading to a Stage 0 lymphedema diagnosis of subclinical lymphedema.17 Table 1 lists many of the risk factors and co-morbidities contributing to lymphedema. Early identification and intervention are key, and the contributing factors and underlying comorbidities must be addressed through comprehensive medical management in order to achieve the best patient outcomes.  Utilizing the components of Complete Decongestive Therapy in the context of the patient’s entire medical picture will allow for safe and effective treatment.  The authors are now referring to this management as Lymphatic and Integumentary Rehabilitation.

In the United States, the most common cause of lymphedema in the upper extremities is breast cancer20 and in the lower extremities, chronic venous disease is the most important predictor for the development of lymphedema.21 With respect to obesity, lymphatic dysfunction can occur with a body mass index greater than 50, and lymphedema may be universal in patients with a BMI greater than 6018. Various other contributing co-morbidities and co-factors may lead to lymphedema, and most clinical presentations of lymphedema are resulting from a combination of approximately seven co-morbidities.22 Data from the Canadian LIMPRINT study showed that the most common underlying cause of lymphedema in an outpatient wound clinic was venous disease, 72% of patients had a history of cellulitis, and almost 40% had an open wound.23

Conclusion

Edema is a common and prevalent condition presenting clinically from mild to severe.  Looking at the presentation and quality of the edema, its characteristics (turgor, texture, pitting/non-pitting), associated integumentary findings, combined with a comprehensive medical review of the patient will help in determining where on the lymphedema continuum the patient resides.  Many edemas are transient, due to lymphatic insufficiency, which should fully resolve with proper medical management once the underlying cause or contributing factors have been identified and modified.  For chronic lymphedema due to lymphatic failure, managing the underlying medical issues in combination with Complete Decongestive Therapy will help the patient manage this life-long disease. 

Table 1: Lymphedema risk factors

Adapted from Framework L. Best practice for the management of lymphoedema. International consensus. London: MEP Ltd. 2006:3-52.

  • Chronic venous insufficiency
  • Post-thrombotic syndrome
  • Vein stripping or harvesting
  • Surgery (i.e. revascularization, TKA, THA, abdominal surgery, hysterectomy)
  • Decreased mobility (aging, CVA, TBI, SCI, immobilization, etc.)
  • Obesity
  • Congestive heart failure
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Trauma
  • Scars
  • Burns
  • Lymph node dissection or removal
  • Radiation
  • Chronic wounds
  • Recurrent cellulitis
  • Congenital malformation of lymphatic vasculature
  • Tumors obstructing lymphatics
  • Travel or living in Lymphatic Filariasis endemic areas
  • The prolonged dependency of the limb or other body parts
  • Hyperthyroidism
  • Medications with edema as a side effect
  • Chronic skin disorders and inflammation
  • Arteriovenous shunt

Figure 1: Bjork Bow Tie Test

Negative Bjork Bow Tie Test
Used with permission, courtesy Robyn Bjork

Positive Bjork Bow Tie Test
Used with permission, courtesy Suzie Ehmann

“Bow Tie” of wrinkles in Negative Test
Used with permission, courtesy Robyn Bjork

Heather Hettrick PT, Ph.D., CWS, CLT-LANA, CLWT, CORE is a Professor in the Physical Therapy Program at Nova Southeastern University in Florida. As a physical therapist, her expertise resides in integumentary dysfunction where she holds four board certifications/credentials. She is actively involved with numerous professional organizations, speaks on the national and international circuit, and is faculty and Director of Wound Education at the International Lymphedema & Wound Training Institute.

Robyn Bjork, MPT, CWS, CLT-LANA, CLWT is Founder and President of the International Lymphedema & Wound Training Institute. She is a Physical Therapist who holds multiple board certifications in wound and edema/lymphedema management. Bjork is a featured speaker at national & international conferences and is dedicated to the advancement of Lymphatic & Integumentary Rehabilitation.

References

  1. Mortimer PS, Rockson SG. New developments in clinical aspects of lymphatic disease. The Journal of clinical investigation. 2014 Mar 3;124(3):915-21.
  2. Bjork R, and Hettrick H. Endothelial glycocalyx layer and interdependence of lymphatic and integumentary systems. Wounds International. 2018; Vol 9 Issue 2:50-55.
  3. Levick JR, Michel CC. Microvascular fluid exchange and the revised Starling principle. Cardiovascular research. 2010 Mar 3;87(2):198-210.
  4. Reitsma, S., Slaaf, D.W., Vink, H., Van Zandvoort, M.A. and Oude Egbrink, M.G., 2007. The endothelial glycocalyx: composition, functions, and visualization. Pflügers Archiv-European Journal of Physiology454(3), pp.345-359.
  5. Weinbaum, S., Tarbell, J.M. and Damiano, E.R., 2007. The structure and function of the endothelial glycocalyx layer. Annu. Rev. Biomed. Eng.9, pp.121-167.
  6. Woodcock, T.E. and Woodcock, T.M., 2012. Revised Starling equation and the glycocalyx model of transvascular fluid exchange: an improved paradigm for prescribing intravenous fluid therapy. British journal of anaesthesia108(3), pp.384-394.
  7. Bjork R, and Hettrick H. Emerging Paradigms Integrating the Lymphatic and Integumentary Systems: Clinical Implications. Wound Care and Hyberbaric Medicine. 2018; Vol 9 Issue 2:15-21.
  8. Scelsi R, Scelsi L, Cortinovis R, Poggi P. Morphological changes of dermal blood and lymphatic vessels in chronic venous insufficiency of the leg. International angiology: a journal of the International Union of Angiology.  1994; 13(4):308-311.
  9. Földi M, Földi E, Strößenreuther R, Kubik S, editors. Földi's textbook of lymphology: for physicians and lymphedema therapists. Elsevier Health Sciences; 2012 Feb 21.
  10. Carlson A.  Lymphedema and subclinical lymphostasis (microlymphedema) facilitate cutaneous infection, inflammatory dermatoses, and neoplasia:  A locus minoris resistentiae.  Clinics in Dermatology. 2014;32: 599-615.
  11. Shoman H, Ellahham S.  Lymphedema:  a mini-review on the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment.  Vasc Dis Ther.  2017;2(3):1-2. DOI: 10.15761/VDT.1000124
  12. Ruocco E, Puca RV, Brunetti G, et al.  Lymphedematous areas:  Privileged sites for tumors, infections, and immune disorders.  Int J Dermatol. 2007;46:662.
  13. Ruocco V, Schwartz RA, Ruocco E.  Lymphedema:  An immunologically vulnerable site for the development of neoplasms. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2002;47:124-127.
  14. Ridner SH. Pathophysiology of lymphedema. Semin Oncol Nurs. 2013;29:4-11.
  15. Bjork R, Ehmann S. STRIDE Professional Guide to Compression Garment Selection for the Lower Extremity. Journal of Wound Care. 2019 Jun 1;28(Sup6a):1-44.
  16. Bjork R, Hettrick H. Emerging Paradigms Integrating the Lymphatic and Integumentary Systems: Clinical Implications.  Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine. 2018;9(2):17-23.
  17. Framework L. Best practice for the management of lymphoedema. International consensus. London: MEP Ltd. 2006:3-52.
  18. Greene A. Diagnosis and Management of Obesity-Inducted Lymphedema. Plastic Recon Surgery. 2016 July;138(1):111e-118e.
  19. Greenhowe J, Stephen C, McClymont L, Munnoch DA. Breast oedema following free flap breast reconstruction. The Breast. 2017 Aug 1;34:73-6.
  20. Rockson S.  Diseases of the Lymphatic Circulation in Vascular Medicine: A Companion to Braunwald’s Heart Disease, the 2nd Edition. Elsevier;2013:697-708.
  21. Mortimer P, Rockson S. New developments in clinical aspects of lymphatic disease. J Clin Invest. 2014 Mar;124(3):915-21.
  22. Wang W, Keast DH. Prevalence and characteristics of lymphoedema at a wound-care clinic. Journal of wound care. 2016 Apr 1;25(Sup4): S11-5.
  23. Keast DH, Moffatt C, Janmohammad J. Lymphedema IMpact and PRevalence INTernational (LIMPRINT) study: the Canadian data. Lymphatic Research and Biology. 2019 Mar 10.

The Pressure Ulcer Journey – From Prevention and Detection to Case Management

Pressure Ulcers can be complex, mystifying, and cumbersome for even the most experienced wound care clinician. This March, the Association for the Advancement of Wound Care (AAWC) is hosting it’s third annual Pressure Ulcer Summit (PrU), March 27-28, 2020, at the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel, to expand clinicians a wealth of knowledge surrounding pressure ulcers and the implementation science that goes into whole patient care.

The AAWC Pressure Ulcer Summit is uniquely designed to create a journey from the initial diagnosis of a pressure ulcer to navigating insurance and its complete treatment. Each educational segment builds off the prior segment’s topic and discussion. Over two days, AAWC will take clinicians through the four main stages of identifying, treating, healing and supporting patients with pressure ulcers. In this article, AAWC will provide a closer look at the educational sessions that will shed light on pressure ulcers and the expertise needed to treat the whole patient, not just the hole in the patient.

Pressure Ulcer Prevention & Detection

Pressure ulcers can often seem inevitable. The Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ) estimates more than 2.5 million individuals in the US develop pressure ulcers annually. Pressure ulcer prevention continues to be a challenge for even the best clinicians. The first educational segment of PrU will break down the myth surrounding pressure ulcer prevention. Through expert-led sessions, clinicians will learn about the causation and physiology behind pressure ulcers, the pathophysiologic processes, and factors that contribute to pressure-induced tissue damage and take a deeper dive into learning how to identify the conditions needed to create a pressure ulcer.

Through a better understanding of the Pressure Ulcer Detection Tool (PUDT), the three comorbid conditions that are often confused with induced tissue damage, mechanisms that contribute to tissue loss, and techniques for early pressure ulcer detection, clinicians will be able to quickly assess and accurately identify a pressure ulcer.

Once a patient is diagnosed with pressure ulcer…a clinician must face how to proceed with treatment.

Focusing on the Whole Patient, Not the Hole in the Patient

By the afternoon the PrU journey will advance beyond prevention and early detection to diagnosis. Now clinicians must use their clinical thinking and reasoning skills to solve their way through the challenges that come along with pressure ulcer treatment.

In the second segment of PrU, clinicians will explore what constitutes skin failure and develop techniques to approach difficult conversations including, debridement, wound care, pain control, antibiotics, and repositioning. Expert faculty will share their perspectives on the gaps that exist in the current method used to define skin failure and strategies for non-opioid management of painful wounds.

As experienced wound care clinicians know, pressure ulcer cases are unique to each patient, and by looking at the whole picture, clinicians can use a multidisciplinary team approach to select the best treatment strategies that will enhance a specific patient’s comfort and quality of life. While at PrU, clinicians will have the opportunity to meet other professionals in the field and develop their resource network to call upon when faced with a challenge in the real world.

With a treatment plan in place, a clinician’s next step is to select a support surface and figure out how to get it paid for.

Choosing the Right Support Surface & Getting it Paid For

In preparation for PrU day two, clinicians have explored pressure ulcer prevention, detection, and learned how to select the optimal treatment plan based on a whole-patient approach. Now faculty will tackle the complicated and often-times frustrating task of choosing support surfaces and securing payment.

Patients with pressure ulcers and persons at risk require assistance with protecting their at-risk areas. Support surfaces provide a means to decrease the compressive forces these areas experience during daily activities. These activities may include lying in bed, sitting up in a wheelchair or on the toilet and even walking. There is a broad range of support surfaces to choose from and each surface has benefits and challenges. Choosing the optimal support surface requires understanding and incorporating a broad range of physiologic and functional needs into the assessment.

To make the support surface selection and payment decision clearer, experienced faculty will identify the categories of support surfaces in detail, explain the insurance requirements needed to get payments for support surfaces, teach clinicians how to conduct an assessment that considers a patient’s physiologic and functional needs and share the staffing and clinic structure needed to set clinicians, and their patients, up for success.

With the right support surface in place and payment secured, clinicians turn their attention to case coordination and management until treatment is completed. 

Case Coordination & Management

When treating a patient with a pressure ulcer, clinicians must be empowered with the resources, tools, facility, and staff to support each stage of treatment. At the final educational segment of PrU, clinical practitioners, managers, patients, and case management experts will share strategies for successfully navigating challenging insurance, provider and other obstacles to ensure optimal outcomes.

To ensure optimal outcomes, faculty will educate clinicians on, the clinical data that is needed to set up a clinic, the variety of pressure-relieving equipment that is available, identifying equipment and support needs, prioritizing data that is available, and how to use patient engagement strategies to enable a full recovery.

After the AAWC PrU journey, clinicians will walk away with real-world knowledge, strategies, and techniques to support and treat patients with complex pressure ulcers. For more information on the AAWC Pressure Ulcer Summit (PrU) and the half-day Keeping Calm Under Pressure: How to Address Pressure Ulcers in the Post-Acute Setting and Beyond Pre-Conference on March 26th, visit www.aawcsummits.com.

A Fresh Take on Comprehensive Patient Care in Wound Healing

“Before you heal someone, ask him if he’s willing to give up the things that make him sick.” — Hippocrates

As caregivers, where should we begin when we look at comprehensive patient care? We begin with the whole patient, the whole person. We must develop a robust personal mission statement around patient care, which helps determine one's direction and focus on future goals. It aligns strategies and can give a person/team a way to reflect, evaluate, and improve outcomes in practice, such as, “I believe every patient needs a physician who will be an advocate to help them regain their health.” Strong mission statements can produce profound changes and benefits for your patients, but to do so involves viewing the patient as a whole person, not perseverating on the wound care dynamics in disunion.

The impact of conventional medicine's "sick-care" focus on our medical systems have repercussions. Is conventional medicine the best in care? It is the practice of acute treatment targeting pathogens, traumatic events, or the long-term practice for controlling disease and/or it's risk factors that reduce or degrade long-term primary and secondary outcomes. It remains a disease-focused approach with patients as recipients of “sick-care.” Patients need only comply with treatment and are not required to make significant changes or commitments to their health. The providers are responsible for the care and outcomes, while the patient is a passive receiver of services.

The "patient-centric" approach can be achieved with the use of a lifestyle medicine approach to treat, reverse, and prevent all too prevalent lifestyle-related chronic disease AND improve health literacy. Lifestyle medicine involves the use of evidence-based lifestyle therapeutic approaches, such as a predominantly whole food plant-based diet, regular physical activity, adequate sleep, stress management, avoidance of risky substance use, and other non-drug modalities to treat, reverse, and prevent all too prevalent lifestyle-related chronic disease. Most wound care patients do not experience discreetly limited events.

Acute and impaired wound healing impact our population differently. In the United States, chronic wounds affect approximately 6.5 million patients, with the majority of the chronic wounds beginning as minor traumatic injuries [see reference 1]. When wound healing is impaired, it is usually not because a single factor failed, but rather, numerously neglected and ignored comorbidities lead to an impaired healing process. A literature review of common wound care treatment options underscores to lack of whole-person care when clear evidence-based options are available and provide improved wound healing. There are several areas a provider and team can influence change. Build a referral base, create action plans, or write prescriptions that address nutritional assessments, increase exercise, improve sleep, and influence positive emotions. Below are a few ways to implement well-care with patients.

  1. Talk to patients about their diet. Nutrition is a complex field that wound care has taken a pro-active approach over the last decade. However, recently, new studies have evaluated the impact of dietary protein in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Shockingly, in the 2018 United States Renal Data System report, only 10% of individuals who were classified by laboratory measurements as having Stage 1-3 CKD, were aware of their kidney disease. CKD patients include poorly controlled diabetes mellitus, peripheral vascular disease, chronic venous insufficiency, and aging.

    Wound care providers should address the co-morbidity of kidney disease, protein intake, and chronic wound regimens with dietary intervention. Providers unfamiliar with the complexity of nutrition can refer patients to a skilled practitioner, such as a registered dietician, to monitor protein levels, and help address problems that arise when providers increase dietary proteins to promote wound healing. The problem emerges when an increase in protein intake increases both glomerular filtration and renal tubular acid excretion; therefore, intensifying renal injury in patients. Dietary protein intake varies for adult dialysis patients is ∼1.2 g/kg body weight of proteins per day, as opposed to non-dialysis patients, the daily protein is 0.6-0.75 g/kg.

    Lower protein intake, as reported by Klahr et al in the study, The effects of dietary protein restriction and blood-pressure control on the progression of chronic renal disease. Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Study Group, slows the progression of CKD. Another study by Kamper and Strandgaard, Long-Term Effects of High-Protein Diets on Renal Function, noted,  "daily red meat consumption over years may increase CKD risk, whereas white meat and dairy proteins appear to have no such effect, and fruit and vegetable proteins may be renal protective."

    Finally, increasing protein intake in older patients during critical illness may lead to azotemia due to decreased renal functional reserve and possibly augment the propensity towards worsened renal function and worsened clinical outcomes reported Dickerson in Nitrogen Balance and Protein Requirements for Critically Ill Older Patients.

  2. Vascular disease wound patients benefit from decreasing free fats and increasing fruit and vegetables that are rich in flavonoids to improve vascular health; reduce endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, and oxidative stress, according to Macready et al in the study Flavonoid-rich fruit and vegetables improve microvascular reactivity and inflammatory status in men at risk of cardiovascular disease--FLAVURS: a randomized controlled trial.

    Sustained dietary nitrate ingestion, via the nitric oxide (NO) cascade, improves vascular function in hypercholesterolemic patients: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study by Velmurugan et al. titled Dietary nitrate improves vascular function in patients with hypercholesterolemia: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. These changes are associated with alterations in the oral microbiome and, in particular, nitrate-reducing organisms, which give rise in circulating levels of nitrite derived from dietary nitrate. Acute dietary nitrate load causes a marked reduction in BP, reduces platelet activation, and protects against endothelial injury. There is emergent evidence supporting the idea that CVD risk can be reduced by a dietary pattern that provides more plant sources of protein compared to animal-based dietary protein. It is a multifaceted reason that links the amino acid content of particular foods with the gut microbiome to the overall wellness of a patient. And yet, there remains a little emphasis on patient nutrition or even physical activity.

  3. Physical inactivity is a leading cause of preventable death in the USA. Exercise is commonly overlooked and never addressed as a vital sign in most physician offices and wound care clinics. However, low-intensity exercise accelerated wound healing rates in diabetic mice in Low-intensity Exercise Accelerates Wound Healing in Diabetic Mice, a study by Keylock. They further noted, future studies should investigate the mechanisms behind this effect and evaluate different intensities of exercise on wound healing in humans with type 2 diabetes. The current recommendation is for exercise involves 30minutes of moderate-intensity 5 days per week. The findings are robust that insurance reimbursement is available to patients.

  4. Today, structured exercise programs are becoming available to more patients with claudication as methods to improve adherence to community-based exercise programs. A supervised exercise therapy (SET) program with up to 36 sessions, over a 12 week period, is considered medically necessary to help prevent wounds from becoming chronic, significantly reduce pain and immobility. Three months in a moderate-intensity aerobic activity healed standard wounds compared to the sedentary controls. The possible mechanism of action is the enhanced neuroendocrine response, pro-inflammatory cytokines in the wound bed, enhanced re-epithelialization, and collagen turnover in connective tissue structures such as tendons, ligaments, bone, and muscle in patients with PAD, according to Emery et al. Therefore, building a foundation in patient-focused lifestyle changes that can promote wound healing and rejuvenation.
  1. Stress and wound healing in acute and chronic wounds have been thoroughly investigated and its adverse effects are well established. Cytokines play a crucial role in healing. If a dysregulation of the specific cytokines occurs as a breach in wound healing, this leads to delayed healing. The overproduction of cortisol, during stress or abnormal sleep patterns, can hinder wound healing due to the suppression of cytokines. Social interactions buffer against stress and promote wound healing through a mechanism that involves oxytocin-induced suppression of cortisol reports Social facilitation of wound healing.

    Both the qualitative and quantitative studies illustrate that disturbances in sleep significantly increase the risk of developing diabetes, which is supported by numerous community-based and hospital-based epidemiological studies discussed in a review by Chattu VK in The Interlinked Rising Epidemic of Insufficient Sleep and Diabetes Mellitus. Sleep fragmentation (SF) delays wound healing in diabetic mice models in a study by McLain et al. This delayed wound healing in obese, diabetic mice caused by SF is homologous to delayed wound healing in some patients with type 2 diabetes. 

    Poor habitual sleep efficiency elevates cortisol, and thus, reduces the migratory rates of keratinocytes and suppression of cytokines. Therefore, sleep therapy may be a low-cost method in combating the rising epidemic of Type 2 Diabetes and wound care costs. Providers can refer patients for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as the primary treatment for a patient with sleep disturbances, which is usually inclusive of stress reduction techniques and reinforcement of positive emotions – overall improving wound healing and the whole patient.

     6. Additional practitioner tools are to incorporate SMART and FITT prescriptions in their wound care treatment plans.

S.M.A.R.T.

The acronym used to guide goal setting:

  • SPECIFIC: Examples
  • MEASURABLE: Size, Amount
  • ACHIEVABLE: Agreed, Attainable
  • RELEVANT: Reasonable, Realistic
  • TIME BOUND: Time-limited, Time frame

Wound care treatment plan: RX: DIET:

  • ½ Cup blanched collard greens
  • ½ Cup well-cooked beans
  • As a replacement for ½ portion of a meat
  • Once-daily for one month

F.I.T.T.

The acronym for cardiovascular aerobic exercise guidelines:  

  • FREQUENCY: How often
  • INTENSITY: How hard
  • TIME: Length of time
  • TYPE: What kind of exercise

Wound care treatment plan: RX: EXERCISE

  • Walk for 30+ minutes, three times per week (Tuesday/Thursday/Sunday) at moderate intensity
  • When walking you can talk *but not sing
  • Longevity: 3 months

Above all, remember that, before you heal someone, ask if they are willing to make a change and support them because patients need providers who will be an advocate to help them regain their health. 

A Cut Above: Cultivating Patient Compliance

Non-compliant patients can be difficult. Have you ever been in the position where you know you are doing everything you should be, but your patient isn’t getting better? At one time or another, we have all been there, with a non-healing wound, wondering what vital aspect of the wound care process we are forgetting. Then we find out that our patients severely misunderstood our instructions, or even worse, ignored them. It has been estimated that the direct and indirect costs of non-compliance on healthcare are upwards of $100 billion per year. I would like to believe that most of my patient’s non-compliance is not because they are lazy or don’t care, but rather that I need to change my approach. Let me explain how we, as health care providers, can change our approach to improve compliance and patient outcomes.

Education, education, education.  Let me say it again, educate your patients. They need to know not just how to help themselves, but why. For example, a patient that needs to change their dressings every other day at home might know the step by step process for cleaning the wound and changing the dressings, but they are not doing it because they need to know why it is important. Should they be doing it simply because you want them to? No, they should be doing it because their dressing becomes saturated and we need to ensure a healthy amount of moisture on the wound bed. Without this, it is going to take them longer to heal and increases their risk of complications such as an infection. Letting your patients know the details will help motivate them. Make sure you are giving the patient directions using terms they understand. Instead of saying, “we need to use this hydrofiber dressing to prevent maceration of your periwound” use the phrase, “we are using this white material to soak up drainage so that it doesn’t get your skin too wet and cause further damage.” If we give our patients why, rather than just how, they are more likely to be compliant with their program.

Know your patients and what they need from you. I had a patient, let’s call her Sally. I had given her instructions on what to do at home and why she needed to do it. The problem was, I didn’t understand that she was a person that also needed to be instructed on what not to do. I was shocked when she came on the next visit and told me she cleaned the wounds with her homemade saline before debriding them with her kitchen knife. Yikes! After getting to know her better, I understood that if I was going to educate her on the importance of something, such as debridement, I would also need to educate her on why it was not safe for her to try it at home. I had another patient whose wife would assist him with dressing changes. After seeing him for over six months, I assumed she had it down. Then one day, she came in crying and told me that she thought she was making things worse because she felt she had no idea what she was doing. I had made the mistake of not asking what I could do to help her — it was as simple as detailed instructions written down. If we don’t get to know our patients, their personalities, and their needs, then we will not be able to tailor our instructions to them as an individual.

Get to the bottom of the issue. Is the patient not doing as instructed because of fear? Misunderstanding? Perhaps they don’t have the right tools? For a long time, our clinic had to have our patients order their wound dressings. We didn’t have a company that we worked with for supplies and our small wound clinic couldn’t afford to provide them to the patient. We would do everything we could to set them up for success with this process. We even had a supply list with pictures so they could go to the store and easily find what they needed. Unfortunately, we were sending so many patients to the store that they sold out of supplies. Of course, things like this only happen before the weekend, so our patients were left high and dry not knowing what to do. A backup plan is important. Make sure your patient knows what to do if the original plan falls through. Have an open conversation with them and ask them what their barriers are. Often, there is an easy answer, but your patient will never know this solution if you don’t have the conversation.   

Get your patient involved. When patients have buy-in to the process, they will be more likely to follow through. Let them know that they are just as important to the wound healing process as you are. Let them know that you are a team and you are open to suggestions and are willing to make changes to better suit their needs. Encourage your patients and let them know that they are doing a great job at home. Get their family members involved so they have an accountability partner. Be open with your patient; let them know they are important to you and you want them to get better. Be humble, ask them if there is anything you can do differently to help them be more adherent.

Non-compliance with a wound program can be frustrating and exhausting for the provider. It can provide a puzzle for the provider to put together the pieces of why their patient is not adhering to their carefully thought out plan. Rather than giving up on these patients, take a step back and reflect. And don’t be afraid to ask yourself, are you missing something? 

A Baseball Bruise and a Battle for Limb Salvage - Part 4

62-year-old pitcher JH was hit in the shin by a baseball on the last Sunday in June. In the subsequent 60 days, he experienced excruciating pain, multiple visits to emergency departments, 28 days as an inpatient in two different hospitals, underwent five surgeries with full anesthesia, fought staphylococcal and E. coli infections, a maggot infestation, a full-thickness vascular flap transplant a skin graft, and went from no dressings on his wound to a cast covering.

The complement of caregivers in this complex case included emergency department personnel, infectious disease specialists, a renowned limb transplant physician, and countless nurses, aides, and therapists, all collaborating in the battle to save JH’s life and leg by arresting an infection before it entered his bone and then, potentially, his bloodstream.

After the fifth surgery, the medical team had confidence that the battle was nearing the end and victory was in sight. Taking no chances, a cast immobilized the area around the wound to promote faster healing and provided additional barriers from infection. [View: Bandaging and Casting Techniques for Wound Management].

After 10 days of recovery at home, JH returned to the hospital – for the first time in a non-emergent manner. His cast was removed, revealing a wound in full healing mode. Still red in appearance—the inflammation of healing, there was evidence that new skin was forming and more important, there was no evidence of infection.

JH underwent the sixth surgery – a cosmetic procedure to marginally reduce the size of the hoagie roll. Once the sutures were removed from this procedure, he was cleared to resume sports after a 20-day wait.

In retrospect, the medical team believes one of the threads on the baseball’s seam made a tiny cut to the skin at the moment of impact. While not visible, it enabled bacteria to enter the wound and create an infection.

The initial incision and drainage of the hematoma that formed from the contusion was indicated and was an appropriate approach for such a wound. While there are differing opinions on whether a wound such as this should have been dressed or remain undressed at discharge, hindsight suggests dressing this wound would have been preferred. [View: Caring for Cuts, Scrapes, and Wounds].

Further, the decision to discharge JH early after that first infection treatment is something else hindsight suggests might have been done differently. [View: Wound Infection].

The maggot infestation was the likely result of a simple housefly being drawn to the wound. Because the injury occurred during the summer months, flies and other insects are abundant and unavoidable. Whether different instructions could have averted the infestation is unknown.

At some point later in his healing, JH received a call from a senior executive of the hospital where he was first treated. The executive acknowledged JH’s early release appeared to have been a mistake. In telling his story, JH wants to be clear that he is not calling out any individual or institution. He didn’t like his treatment at one place and sought treatment at another.

JH said he recognized the challenges of his injury, understood there were risks in the processes to help him heal, acknowledged that the medical team at the second hospital did everything possible on his behalf and that no system or individual is perfect. The only thing he would have wanted to be better was the communication with him from the care team. Lastly, at no time did he consider a legal review of his treatment.

JH’s leg has been saved. His medical team cautioned that he would not be considered completely “out of the woods” for nearly a year, by which time the wound would be fully healed. Nonetheless, JH returned to the pitcher’s mound for all four baseball teams by with no restrictions, precautions, or protective measures.

It had been a long nine innings but JH and his medical team had scored enough runs and this was a game they could all put in the win column.

A Baseball Bruise and a Battle for Limb Salvage - Part 3

Part three of a four-part series about an athlete’s fight to beat a leg infection and save his leg. In parts one and two, JH, age 62, was hit in the shin by a baseball. Treatment included three surgeries to open and drain the contusion, another to remove necrotic tissue and a third to graft a vein, artery and skin from his thigh to the wound. Nearly healed, JH was preparing to get back to baseball when a curve ball came his way.)

Managing a busy life with what JH called a hoagie roll on his lower leg, presented its own set of challenges. The hoagie roll created an environment to feed the wound area with blood and enable it to heal, covering what had been exposed bone with viable tissue. Despite the new appendage, he could see the end game, with full healing on the horizon and with a return to the routine of family, work, and sports. Sutures out and the wound healing, the hoagie roll was unattractive and in the way of socks and trouser legs, but it was to be surgically reduced in a few weeks.

After a morning shower 10 days after returning home, JH noticed some orange-tinted, clear fluid oozing from the incision line. Peeling back one of the many butterfly bandages to take a look, the wound opened up along the incision line, releasing more fluid. In the wound, he saw something moving. Then he noticed a handful of somethings disappearing into the wound and returning to the surface again and again. Maggots and hundreds of small, oval white maggot eggs filled the wound.

JH sent a picture while simultaneously calling his physician. In denial, his physician said, “It can’t be.” A Friday, JH was to see the doctor the following Tuesday. He was told to wipe the incision line clean and keep the Tuesday appointment. But, the doctor said, it would also be fine for him to go to an emergency department for evaluation if he would be more comfortable with that.

Horrified both with what he was seeing on his leg and what he was hearing from his doctor, JH headed back to Philadelphia.

On examination, the physician assistant exclaimed, “There are maggots in there!” For the first time in weeks, JH expressed dismay with the resident and became animated – an understatement at best, belying weeks of frustration. He shouted, “I told you – and you wanted me to wait five days to be seen?”

When it occurs, maggot infestation, known as Myiasis, is considered to represent a breakdown in standards of care. As a result, there are few statistics on the frequency of these occurrences [Myiasis: maggot infestation]. Myiasis typically results when a common female housefly lands on a wound or wound dressing to feed and lays eggs there. One fly can lay between 50-300 eggs at one time. The eggs hatch within 12 hours and are fully grown within 60 hours. Shortly thereafter, they migrate to drier feeding territory.

While conceptually a thoroughly disgusting situation, maggots have been historically used to facilitate wound healing. Prior to antibiotics, maggots were intentionally introduced to some wounds and were found to promote healing by eating only necrotic—not viable—tissue, increasing exudate, digesting some forms of bacteria and secreting certain enzymes to break down necrotic tissue [Myiasis: maggot infestation].

While myiasis would resolve itself within weeks as maggots seek other environments, both patients and caregivers typically find the wait intolerable and removal is necessary. In JH’s case, waiting was not a consideration [Myiasis: maggot infestation].  

Immediately rushed back into surgery for the fourth time, the surgeons tried to clean the wound of infection again, and to remove necrotic tissue, maggots, and larvae. Remarkably, there was still no infection in the bones, but new tissue cultures revealed the infection was now caused primarily by E. coli; it’s unclear whether this was a polymicrobial infection from the start, or if the prior antibiotic therapy had been effective against Staphylococcus and now a new infection had been introduced.  Common in the digestive tracts of healthy individuals, E. coli in an infection can typically be treated with antibiotics.

During this latest surgery, twenty antibiotic beads were placed into the wound. Antibiotic beads were developed for use with joint replacement surgery to reduce the potential for infection in patients undergoing hip replacements [Tiny antibiotic beads fight infections after joint replacement]. The beads release antibiotics slowly over a period of up to six weeks. JH’s wound remained undressed for three days while it was watched closely for indications of healing from the deep parts of the wound towards the skin, and, of course, for signs of a new infection.

A fifth surgery later closed the wound. JH’s leg was cast, and he was sent home with instructions to return in 10 days to remove both the cast and sutures. The cast was an ultraconservative measure intended to prevent any chance of additional infection or infestation.

(In the final segment of this series, JH will face additional surgeries and learn whether he will ever return to his busy and athletic life or whether the infection will enter his bone and bloodstream.)

A Baseball Bruise Leads to a Battle for Limb Salvage - Part 2

Part two of a four-part series about an athlete’s journey to save his leg. 

(In part one, JH, age 62, was hit in the shin by a baseball. A hematoma developed that became infected; treatment included opening and draining the hematoma and discharge to home to self-administer IV antibiotics through a PICC line.)

Sitting on the sofa in his den the day after discharge, JH had his leg propped up. Looking at the wide-open wound, he knew something wasn’t right. With waning confidence in the situation, JH thought the injury looked worse after the treatment to drain it than it did before the hospital visit.

Though JH and his wife had videotaped the home care nurse’s instructions to administer the IV medication, the effort did not go well. Unable to make the tubes connect, blood began pouring from the PICC line, saturating his clothing. In the midst of this, his physician friend responded to the photos. He told JH to go immediately to the hospital, not to stop for breakfast, not to change clothes – but to go immediately.

Having gotten the PICC line capped, JH took an Uber to a Philadelphia medical center. After a long wait in the ED, JH was admitted, evaluated, and quickly scheduled for surgery to debride the wound. In surgery, tissue from the shin was debrided to the bone. The wound was covered but did not begin healing the way his care team had hoped.

Three days after the first surgery, a second surgery was required for additional debridement. This time a vacuum drain was inserted into the area and sealed with a clear wrap with suction applied to the wound. Lab cultures returned positive for Staphylococci. JH began to comprehend more fully the conversations with the physicians about the infection spreading more seriously into the bones in his leg and the growing concern that amputation might be required to prevent systemic infection or even death.

JH is part of a well-connected long-time Main Line Philadelphia family. Those connections enabled him to be placed in the care of a renowned physician known most recently for successful pediatric hand transplants. JH was evaluated and a course of action was determined. In a third surgical procedure, a full-thickness flap, with vasculature, was harvested along with a graft of skin shaved from his thigh, all transplanted to the lower leg. The purpose was to create a “biologic dressing”—the patient’s skin, that would protect against bacterial contamination and hasten to heal.

After seven hours of surgery, JH awoke in the ICU. In the event of flap failure, JH needed to remain under close watch. The care team monitored the pulse in the surgical area.

The flap was an ecosystem – a living environment around the initial bruise site that supported tissue repair and healing and covered that bone. JH called it a “hoagie roll” – a protrusion on his lower leg that extended about six inches along a left to right down angle across his leg. The plan seemed to be working. The swelling decreased, the infection seemed to be clearing.  For the first time, the wound was sutured closed and wrapped. Discharge care included topical antibiotic ointment for the sutures and instructions to keep the wound covered. The pain was gone. 

For the next 10 days, JH healed. Back at work with the wound covered by the “hoagie roll,” he was on a trajectory toward full recovery. With sutures out and butterfly bandages along the repair line, JH was confident he would soon return to the baseball diamond. Instead, he was to return to surgery for a fourth, fifth and sixth time.  He and his leg remained in danger.

(In part three, JH faces emergency surgery, a maggot infiltration and the specter of a polymicrobial infection. His game is far from over and a win, even with the best players and tools, is not a sure thing.)

About the Author
Dr. Pollack is certified in Emergency Medicine and is a founding board member of the Hospital Quality Foundation. Visit: www.hospitalqualityfoundation.org.