Guide to Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT), also known as vacuum-assisted wound closure (VAC), is a dressing system that continuously or intermittently applies negative pressure across the surface of wounds that are acute, chronic, complex, or...

Informed Consent Informed consent is a process of communication between a patient and a health care provider that results in the patient’s agreement to undergo a procedure or treatment. It is both a legal and ethical obligation. The provider educates the...

Integumentary Assessment The integumentary system includes the skin, hair and nails. Make sure there is adequate lighting and have the patient change into a gown. Have a small tape measure or magnifying glass available to measure or examine lesions more closely.

IV Catheter Sizes and Flow Rates IV catheter selection is determined by the patient’s clinical status and the type/amount of intravenous therapy needed for immediate treatment.Peripheral IV catheters come in different diameters, measured in gauge (G). The smaller the gauge...

IV Fluids IV fluids are utilized for resuscitation, to replace fluid losses, and for maintenance hydration in patients who are not able or not allowed to drink water. Like all prescribed medications, IV fluids have benefits and risks. Fluid therapy should...

Restraints: Guidelines for Safe Practice in Hospitals In healthcare settings, restraints are a critical tool for ensuring patient and staff safety during episodes of agitation and unsafe behavior. However, their use must adhere to strict guidelines to protect patient rights and ensure ethical, safe...

Surgical Site Infection Prevention Surgical site infections (SSIs) are infections that occur the body part where the surgery was performed within 30 days following the surgery or up to 90 days following an implant procedure (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC...