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Information/Education Rep
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Comparison of compression:short stretch versus 4-layer bandages in the treatment of adults with venous stasis ulcers First Author: Gisele Castonguay Authors: Gisele Castonguay, BSN Abstract Venous ulcers affect up to 2.5 million patients per year in the United States with an estimated medical cost of $1621/occurance without the calculation of lost wage time and an estimated annual health care expenditure of between 1.9 to 2.5 billion dollars. Treatment of venous stasis ulcers includes therapy with the use of both short-stretch and four-layer bandages, both having shown their ability to increase venous return and healing rates but it is unclear which is superior. This paper reviews current evidence-based research and literature reviews of published studies to determine whether short-stretch bandages or four-layer compression systems provide shorter healing times and less adverse events when used in adults with venous stasis ulcers. A review of current guidelines and protocols for treatment of venous stasis with the application of compression using published guidelines both nationally and internationally is completed. The result of this research is the development of a treatment algorithm to address compression and venous ulcer wound care that can use either system of compression. |
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