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Case Study/Series
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Infected acute wounds close rapidly using polymeric membrane dressings* First Author: Linda Benskin Authors: Linda Benskin, BSN, RN, Ghana SRN, CWCN PROBLEM Patients with acute wounds often do not seek medical assistance until their wounds are severely infected. Cleaning these wounds up, keeping them clean, and promoting quick healing so that the patient can resume his normal activities are the primary goals for these patients. At our clinic in rural Northern Ghana, we found that polymeric membrane dressings were able to meet these needs while decreasing the clinician time needed to care appropriately for these wounds. RATIONALE Wounds treated with polymeric membrane dressings in our clinic usually healed more quickly than with other dressings. The polymeric membrane dressings' built-in non-toxic cleanser helps prevent infection and it simplifies dressing changes, because after initial cleaning/debriding, usually no further active cleansing is needed. Polymeric membrane dressings contain both glycerin and an absorbent starch, so they donate moisture to dry wounds while absorbing excess moisture from exudating wounds. METHODOLOGY After initial cleansing/debriding, plain or silver polymeric membrane dressings were applied to the exposed surfaces of wound; changed when saturated. RESULTS All three patient examples healed quickly without return of infection. Usually no wound bed cleansing was necessary. CONCLUSION Polymeric membrane dressing treatment met the patients' goals: quick healing, freedom from infection, and minimal inconvenience. |
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