TWC News Update

Physician Suggests Re-evaluation of Pressure Ulcer Treatments

  A physician who specializes in geriatric medicine believes more research is needed regarding pressure ulcer prevention and treatment. According to a report by McKnight’s, David Thomas, MD, FACP, AGSF, GSAF, CMD, professor at the Saint Louis University School of Medicine, is also urging for the adoption of more evidence-based approaches to pressure ulcer care as it relates to certain types of dressings, nutritional supplements, negative pressure therapy, and turning protocols for those in the long-term care (LTC) environment.    “We don’t know as much as we think we know,” Thomas said. “What we have been facing in the care of pressure ulcers in nursing home is dogma. We desperately need people in nursing homes to do clinical research.”   When it comes to dressings, Thomas voices concern over what he considers no evidence that options work better than others. He also stressed unreliability in choosing mattresses.    “What should you use, nobody knows,” he said, adding that there’s no evidence that zinc paste is effective, no difference between gold leaf or aluminum foil versus gauze, and no “clear evidence” that silver works. He also questions whether debridement is effective in LTC. He points to the fact that only 51 papers on pressure ulcers in world literature exist for his raised concern, further suggesting that more leaders in the field conduct pressure ulcer research trials.

California Hospital Performs Pressure Ulcer Pilot Study

  In an effort to prevent pressure ulcers, staff members at El Camino Hospital, Mountain View, CA, are partnering with Leaf Healthcare Inc., Newark, CA, to test a product that wirelessly monitors inpatients to track their positioning, movement, and activity.    “Like all hospitals across the country, El Camino Hospital is focused on decreasing the incidence of pressure ulcers among our inpatients; and while we’ve made great strides, we are always looking for new ways to help our staff manage this complex condition,” said Tomi Ryba, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of El Camino Hospital.    “Participating in this pilot program will allow us to couple our process and protocols with this innovative monitoring technology to help our staff more effectively manage our most at-risk patients.”   The pilot program utilizes the Leaf Patient Monitor, a small, lightweight, wearable patient sensor that electronically monitors an individual’s position and movements. Data collected by the sensor is then communicated wirelessly to central monitoring stations or mobile devices so that patient position and movement status can easily be viewed. The system also alerts staff when movement deviates from individual turn-management protocols. The device has been FDA cleared.    “This system provides caregivers with accurate information regarding a patient’s position and movement over time, thus enabling easy identification of which patients are turning adequately on their own and which patients are in need of a greater assistance,” said Mark Weckwerth, CEO of Leaf Healthcare. “The result is that all patients are repositioned per their prescribed protocol, which is an integral component of successful pressure ulcer prevention programs. Partnering with El Camino Hospital on this pilot provides us and them with critical information and data that we hope can be applied across their organization – and shared with other healthcare organizations, as well.”

Elder Care Organization Celebrates 500 Member Milestone

  Officials with the Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders (NICHE) recently hosted a reception to celebrate reaching 500 members for its network of healthcare organizations that have implemented its geriatrics program.   The NICHE hospital member designation signals a resolve to provide specialized and patient-centered care for older adults. Through participation, NICHE hospitals and their associated healthcare facilities are able to offer evidence-based, interdisciplinary approaches that promote better outcomes, positive experiences, and improved care for older adults. This leads to greater satisfaction rates for patients, their families, and staff.    “Our network is now 500 strong and growing,” said Elizabeth Capezuti, PhD, RN, FAAN, NICHE director, John W. Rowe professor in Successful Aging, New York University College of Nursing. “These hospitals, located throughout North America, have made the vital commitment to help meet one of the most critical challenges of our times: quality care of older adults.”   The vision of NICHE is for all patients ages 65 and older to be given sensitive and exemplary care. The mission of NICHE is to provide principles and tools to stimulate a change in the culture of healthcare facilities to achieve patient-centered care for older adults. NICHE, based at New York University College of Nursing, consists of more than 500 hospitals and healthcare facilities throughout North America. For more information visit www.nicheprogram.org.

NYU Nurse Receives Leader in Aging Award

  Elizabeth Capezuti, PhD, RN, FAAN, a faculty member of New York University College of Nursing (NYUCN) has been named the American Academy of Nursing (AAN) and Hartford Foundation’s Nurse Leader in Aging Award winner for 2013. Specifically, she’s being recognized for her research and leadership in gerontological nursing as well as her promotion of education, community outreach, and service.    “Her publications and teaching demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to her students, many of whom are co-authors on her papers and who are now respected scholars themselves,” said Eileen Sullivan-Marx, dean of NYUCN. “Dr. Capezuti is adding immeasurably to our understanding of aging and gerontological nursing, especially in the field of frail elders in hospitals and nursing homes. Dr. Capezuti is indeed a leader, with the stature and record of achievement worthy of the AAN and Hartford Foundation’s Nurse Leader in Aging Award.”   Established in 2006 by the AAN and the John A. Hartford Foundation, the award represents superior leadership, achievements, contributions, productivity, and influence on gerontological nursing and meeting the healthcare needs of the US population.    “I am deeply honored to have been selected for this award, and am so happy that it recognizes the importance of quality nursing care for older adults,” said Capezuti, the John W. Rowe professor in Successful Aging at NYUCN and director of Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders (NICHE), an international program designed to help hospitals improve the care of older adults. Her work focuses on care of older adults in hospitals and nursing homes with studies highlighting the injuries and falls due to restraints including side rails. In her role as the director of NICHE, Capezuti has led the development of NICHE into a financially sustainable model fostering geriatric excellence in 500 hospitals and healthcare organizations.

Wound Care Nurse Helps Form Ostomy Algorithm

  Janice Beitz, PhD, RN, CS, CNOR, CWOCN, CRNP, APN, C, MAPWCA, a professor at Rutgers School of Nursing–Camden (NJ), recently served as a member of a research team that developed the ostomy algorithm for a new tool that reportedly provides wound care professionals with a comprehensive guide to optimizing ostomy management and enhancing patient safety.   According to officials at Rutgers, the algorithm consists of 11 assessments, beginning with the type of ostomy, and provides a pathway that leads to the selection of the best ostomy management option.    “It helps guide [providers] through what they need to think about when they’re taking care of a patient,” Beitz said.   Beitz said given the aging population, more people are developing medical conditions that require an ostomy.    “It’s our role as care providers to give them the best care possible,” she continued. “We want to create the blueprint for choosing the safest and best product.”   At Rutgers–Camden, Beitz oversees the state’s first graduate certificate program in wound, ostomy, and continence nursing. She was inducted as an American Academy of Nursing fellow in October, joining a distinguished group of more than 2,000 academy fellows — including three other Rutgers–Camden nursing scholars — as leaders in nursing education, management, practice and research.   Beitz has co-authored numerous research articles and co-authored multiple book chapters as well as one book. A research study and algorithm on pressure ulcer prevention was recently published in Ostomy Wound Management.    “The majority of ostomy care is provided by non-specialized clinicians or caregivers and family members who do not have ostomy care expertise,” Beitz said. “There is a clear need for evidence-based guidelines in this area.”   A Cherry Hill, NJ, resident who specializes in acute and chronic wound, ostomy, and continence care, Beitz is also part of a team that is developing an interactive online version of the algorithm for use on computers and mobile devices.

MiMedx Releases Results of DFU Follow-Up Study

  Officials at MiMedx Group Inc., Marietta, GA, have announced the results of a long-term follow-up study from a previously completed randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving patients living with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). For the follow up, patients whose DFUs healed after treatment with EpiFix® in the initial RCT and the subsequent crossover study were examined.   Eighteen of 22 eligible patients returned for follow-up examination, which was conducted 9-12 months after primary wound closure with EpiFix, according to officials. Of the 18 patients studied, only 1 patient had recurrent DFU during the follow-up period, while 17 (94.4%) remained fully healed. These findings support the long-term effectiveness of dehydrated human amnion/chorion membrane (dHACM) for treatment of DFUs, officials claim. The study concluded that dHACM is a clinically viable and economically feasible treatment option that should be considered by clinicians who treat diabetic pedal ulcers.    “The identification and implementation of an ideal treatment regimen for DFUs is an increasingly common issue faced by clinicians,” said Parker H. “Pete” Petit, chairman and chief executive officer of MiMedx. “Therapies that promote rapid and complete healing, thus reducing the risk for infection and amputation, can substantially improve quality of life while decreasing financial burdens. An optimal treatment for DFUs would be one that supports both rapid and long-term healing. With 94.4% of DFUs remaining healed approximately one year after treatment, we believe our EpiFix allograft is a clinically effective and economic solution to these needs.”

Wound Care Education Expert Appointed By McCord Research

  McCord Research has hired a new expert in the wound care education field as part of its goal to expanded its research and development division to pursue innovative healing, officials said.   Michelle Moore RN, MSN, WCC, CWCMS, has been named vice president of clinical affairs for McCord Research. Moore’s background includes holding the position of chief clinical officer with Links Medical Products, director of clinical at Gulf South Medical Supply, and director of clinical and vendor relations for Wound Care Education Institute. Her skills have aided in the design and development of several advanced wound care products that are currently in the field today, according to officials.    “My skills will assist in bringing training and education to the clinical personnel that will utilize our products as well as the patients who will benefit from the superior line,” said Moore, who will reportedly be working exclusively on a new, innovative wound care brand being launched later this year by McCord. “My goals are to empower the industry and get the field staff excited about how they can prevent wounds from occurring.”

Potential Breakthrough With MRSA Treatment for Seniors

  A new method to increase the effects of antibiotics to treat deadly bacterial diseases in the elderly population has reportedly been uncovered by researchers. According to staff at the University of California-Irvine, the answer could lie through the use of inhibitor compounds that have been developed by structural biologists and chemists at the university. Researchers say they paired the inhibitor compounds with currently used antibiotics to see if they could increase the drugs’ effectiveness. The discovery adds to previous work conducted by university physician Thomas Poulos, PhD, and Northwestern University’s Richard Silverman, PhD, who created the compounds, according to the report. The compound combinations could mute neurodegenerative diseases by blocking overproduction of cell-killing nitric oxide within neurons.    “We found that NOS inhibitors were extremely successful at inhibiting neurodegeneration in an animal model, and if they could be successful combatting other diseases, we wanted to identify that as quickly as possible to help other people,” Poulos said in a prepared release.   The researchers reportedly tested the compounds on Bacillus subtilis, a nonpathogenic bacteria similar to Staphylococcus aureus. The bacteria treated with an antibiotic and NOS inhibitors were killed more efficiently than those treated with just an antibiotic, researchers said.    “Now that we know which region of the NOS to target, we should be able to develop compounds that selectively bind to bacterial NOS,” Poulos added.

Wound Care Nurses Earn DAISY Awards

  Leslie Moore, RN, director of the Wound Clinic at Eastside Medical Center - South Campus, Snellville, GA, and Lisa Freeman, RN, a wound care nurse at Carroll Hospital Center, Westminster, MD, have been honored with the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses at their respective facilities.   The award is given as part of the Glen Ellen, CA-based nonprofit DAISY Foundation’s program to recognize the extraordinary efforts of nurses. The organization was established by family members in memory of the late J. Patrick Barnes and the care he and his family received from nurses while he was ill as a means of thanking nurses for their roles in the lives of patients and their families.    “I was so surprised and appreciative to receive the DAISY Award,” Moore told the Gwinnett Daily Post. “I am honored to wear the DAISY Pin and thank everyone for their support.”   Both nurses were reportedly nominated for the awards by their patients.    “Lisa is an extraordinary nurse who truly exemplifies our hospital’s SPIRIT values,” Stephanie Reid, BSN, RN, MBA, vice president of quality and chief nursing officer at Carroll Hospital, said in a prepared statement. “Her great personality, warm smile, and kindheartedness lifted this patient’s spirits at a time when she needed it most.”

KCI Earns FDA Clearance for NPWT

  Officials at Kinetic Concepts Inc., San Antonio, TX, have announced FDA clearance for the V.A.C.®Via, the company’s next-generation negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) device. The 510(k) clearance also reportedly brings with it plans to secure market placement in early December.   A portable wound care system that features a diaphragm pump for faster draw down, longer battery life, and a higher leak rate threshold, the V.A.C.Via provides streamlined access to NPWT and is ideal for low-exudating (3), split-thickness skin grafts, and immediate discharges from the acute care setting (while unit is on home V.A.C. Therapy authorization and delivery).    “We’ve listened to the feedback from our customers and patients and have taken our original system and enhanced it to better meet their needs,” said senior vice president Jim Cunniff. “The V.A.C.Via therapy unit is designed to help patients return to their normal lifestyle, while receiving up to seven days of negative pressure wound therapy in a compact, portable unit.”

Connecticut Hospital Opens New Wound Clinic

  Western Connecticut Health Network has opened a new wound care clinic at its New Milford Hospital location. The new center complements and augments services provided at the Robert J. and Pamela Morganti Center for Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine at Danbury Hospital.    “We are thrilled to be able to expand this important service to residents in the Greater New Milford area,” said David Charash, DO, medical director at both hospitals’ wound care centers. “The newly opened location at New Milford Hospital allows us to provide the most advanced wound care treatments and therapies, and increases accessibility to these much-needed services for the Network’s patients in the northwestern reaches of Connecticut and bordering areas of New York.”   The Robert J. and Pamela Morganti Center recently achieved accreditation by the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) and is one of only four facilities in Connecticut to have received the designation, according to officials. UHMS awarded the accreditation of the hospital’s clinical hyperbaric facility for the demonstration of its commitment to patient care and facility safety.