IN THIS ISSUE OF JWOCN
This issue of the Journal of Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing (JWOCN) provides a balance between knowledge synthesis and reports of original research in our specialty practice. Using a blend of guidelines, systematic and scoping reviews, this issue presents evidence related to lower extremity venous disease (LEVD) and related wounds, bedside technologies for detection of pressure injury, and intermittent catheterization. In addition, platform and feature articles provide novel knowledge and evidence related to medical device-related pressure injuries of the nose in neonates, wound healing following removal of a thoracic drainage tube, preoperative ostomy education, sleep quality in community-dwelling women, clinical effects of a novel app for increasing activity in persons with venous leg ulcers, and levamisole-induced vasculitis in patients using illicit cocaine. Refer to the Figure to determine the worldwide locations of contributors to this issue of the JWOCN including the United States, China, Turkey, and Canada.
In a special View From Here, Phyllis Bonham discusses issues related to utilization of evidence-based guidelines in clinical practice, and the Society's latest resources to ensure your practice and your facility or health system are incorporating and individualizing these guidelines into practice. Clinical guidelines are increasingly used as the standard for prudent practice from a legal perspective, even though clinical experience and a growing body of evidence strongly suggest their uptake into practice is less than optimal. Dr Bonham's arguments concerning the need for greater uptake of WOCN Society and other guidelines in practice are lucid and persuasive, read this important View From Here and judge its merits for yourself!
This issue's Wound Care Section opens with an executive summary of the WOCN Society's updated guidelines for management of wounds in patients with LEVD. Under the leadership of guideline project leader Phyllis Bonham, Teresa Kelechi, Glenda Brunette, Lea Crestodina, Linda Droste, Catherine Ratliff, and Myra Varnado provide an executive summary guide for management of these especially challenging cases. This article is a must read for any WOC nurse managing and seeking to prevent lower extremity ulcers and their recurrence in patients with LEVD.
Vita Boyar describes a retrospective evaluation of patients with medical device-related pressure injuries of the nose and nasal columella in preterm neonates managed by noninvasive ventilation. This is the latest in a cluster of research activity in this area.1,2 You will want to read both this article, and the accompanying commentary from JWOCN Editorial Consultant to formulate your practice regarding the prevention and management of neonates with medical-related pressure injuries related to use of noninvasive continuous positive airway pressure to preterm and term neonates via nasal cannula or related devices.
Jiye Lee and Daniel Gibson describe their experience using an in vitro model to determine the protective properties of 2 cyanoacrylate skin protectants on a gel model for human tissue. While the JWOCN remains dedicated to clinical practice and research, its global standing as the premiere publication for management of patient with wound, ostomy, continence, and foot and nail disorders often prompts nonclinical (bench) scientists to publish their work with us and we are proud to publish highly selected articles describing "preclinical" research with clear potential application to clinical practice. I strongly urge you read this article and ask the following critical questions, "how well does the gel selected for these experiments mimic human skin responses when covered with a skin protectant" and "what are the possible clinical implications of the author's findings"?
Every WOC nurse knows that delayed or impaired wound healing, including healing by secondary intention, may negatively influence multiple components of a patient's life, including physiologic, psychologic, and social function. Yi Chen, Xun Wang, Wei Ding, Linzhu Wu, and Xuehua Zhao report outcomes of a qualitative study that examined the phenomenology (lived experiences) of a group of patients undergoing wound healing by secondary intention following removal of a thoracic drainage tube. You will want to read this article to increase your knowledge and understanding of these lived experiences and begin to formulate, test, and report your findings (in the JWOCN preferably!) of interventions designed to ease the physical and psychosocial distress associated with wound healing following removal of a thoracic drainage tube.
In addition to these substantial contributions, Katherine Scafide, Mary Narayan, and Linda Arundel report a systematic review of bedside technologies to enhance the early detection of pressure injuries. This lucid synthesis of current evidence related to the efficacy of these technologies, and their promise for detection in the foreseeable future, is a must read for every WOC nurse charged with prevention of pressure injuries.
This issue's Ostomy Care Section comprises an original study comparing anxiety in patients undergoing preoperative and postsurgical ostomy education versus a group exposed to postoperative education alone. Authored by Michelle Harris, Katherine Kelly, and Carol Parise, this article is a must read because it provides additional data for the still sparse but steadily growing body of evidence essential to support and inform basic ostomy care.
This issue's Continence Care Section opens with a scoping review authored by Sandra Engberg, Jynae Clapper, Laurie McNichol, Donna Thompson, Valre Welch, and I that encompasses multiple aspects of WOC-centric continence practice, along with classic continence specialty practice, intermittent catheterization. The production of this article is a product of an unrestricted grant from Hollister, Inc, to the WOCN Society's Corporate Development group and represents an interdisciplinary collaboration among clinical experts with expertise in WOC nursing, adult and pediatric urologic nursing, and rehabilitation nursing. An historically important nursing intervention, this article is a must read for any WOC nurse practicing continence-focused, wound, or ostomy care in the acute, subacute, long-term, and home care settings.
The second article in this issue's Continence Care Section was authored by Tuba Bulut and Birsen Altay. This clinically relevant and insightful original research report provides findings of their study of sleep quality and health-related quality of life in women with urinary incontinence. Sleep quality and the phenomenon of nocturia are gaining new attention and scrutiny as a complex and understudied phenomenon reflecting lower urinary tract dysfunction, nighttime urine production, and overall sleep quality. You will want to read this original research report to gain additional knowledge of the effects of urinary incontinence on sleep quality,
This issue's Foot and Nail Care Section provides novel knowledge related to an essential aspect of this component of our specialty practice, physical activity in individuals with venous leg ulcers and impaired ambulation. Authored by JWOCN Deputy Editor Teresa Kelechi, Mohan Madisetti, Margie Prentice, and Martina Mueller, this must read article describes the researchers' initial experiences with a novel app designed to increase ambulation and mobility in patients with impaired lower extremity function and venous leg ulcers.
This issue's Clinical Challenges article delves into an area of care where our knowledge and evidence base may be dangerously scant, the effects of illicit drug use on cutaneous health. Dawn Engels describes 2 cases of patients suffering levamisole-induced vasculitis following use of illicit cocaine. What is levamisole? How is it linked to cocaine use? How does any of this impact your clinical practice? Read on and find out!
In this issue's Getting Ready for Certification column, Kathy Kump and Chenel Trevellini return to a central issue in WOC nursing, pressure injury prevention and management. Read the sample questions, answers, and distractors in this invaluable section of the JWOCN to found out more and prepare for your ongoing certification maintenance.
In this issue's Nurses Specializing in Wound, Ostomy and Continence Care (NSWOCC) Section, Catherine Harley, Corey Heerschap, and Rosemary Hill describe an exciting collaboration between Medline Industries, Inc, and the NSWOCC supporting enhancement of WOC nursing in Argentina. I personally congratulate and praise the NSWOCC for participating in this important and socially responsible alliance.
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