Assess the patient requiring wound care 2013

Jeannie Randles wound care nurse, RN, Grad cert wound care, PG cert &

PG dip Primary Health

overview

• Holistic assessment• Physical• Social• Psychological• cultural

What should I put on this wound?

Assess the whole patient not the hole in the patient!

Holistic assessment! Why?

• To find underlying cause

• Pressure• Oedema• Trauma• Co morbidities• Venous hypertension• Arterial insufficiency• Motivation

• To treat underlying cause

• Compression• Revascularisation• Diuretics• Bed rest• Limb protection• To help make decision

to refer

Physical barriers to healing

• Co morbidities• Age• Mobility• Diet• Allergies• Products• smoking

Co morbidities

• Diabetes• Heart failure/disease• Respiratory diseases• Arthritis• Auto immune

conditions• Neurological • paralysis

Social barriers to healing

• Employment• Finances• Support• Isolation• Obligations• Smoking • Drinking• Hoarding/environment

psychological

• Stress!!!1. Divorce2. Moving3. Earthquakes!!4. Death of loved one5. Money worries6. caregiver• Motivation 1. Consider social implication2. Consider patient

understanding

stress

Cultural implications

• Religion• Belief system• Natural!• Male/female• Treaty of Waitangi• Disparities in culture• Nursing culture

Conclusion. Whole patient not hole in patient!!!!!

Further reading and web sites of interest

• www.education.woundcarestrategies.com • www.worldwidewounds.com • www.woundsinternational.com/pdf/content_54.pdf

• European Wound Management Association• www.awma.com.au• www.woundsinternational.com