According to the study, PUs occur with significant frequency in acute hospital wards. It is important to carry out PU prevention actions among all patient groups, but risk increases among older patients and those who, for any reason, stay in hospital for a longer period of time.

Long duration of a chronic venous ulcer may predict a poor outcome. The presence of deep venous reflux, especially in the popliteal vein, is typically found in those legs with non-healed ulcers. .

Objective: To analyse the treatment of pressure ulcers (PU) in long-term care. Method: In this correlational cross-sectional study, data was collected between November 2015 and January 2016 from older people with PUs in private and public long-term care facilities in Finland. Data collection was conducted by trained nurses using the Pressure Ulcer Patient Instrument (PUP-Ins). Outcomes measured were: prevalence and localisation of PU, local PU treatment, frequency (how often/week/day) and duration (minutes/week or day) of PU treatment. Results: In total, 112 patients with 158 PUs were identified (a prevalence rate of 5%). PUs were located most often on the heel (38%), hip (13%), buttocks (10%) and lateral malleolus (9.5%). The most frequently used PU treatment was skin protecting agents and local wound care products. The most typical treatment in category I, II and III PUs were foam dressings. In category III PUs, ribbon gauze dressings were also used. The most typical products for category IV PUs were complex dressings. Category I PUs received more treatment per day or week than other categories of PUs. Conclusion: PU treatment is inconsistent and often conducted with varying methods and products. Holistic patient care must be the focus. Nurses in long-term care settings might benefit from in-depth in-service education focusing on the treatment of PUs. More research is needed about nurses' competence in PU treatment.

Background/Purpose Narrowband UVB phototherapy is a common treatment modality in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, but evidence of its actual effect in clinical setting is sparse. Our aim was to assess the effectiveness and costs of narrowband UVB phototherapy in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis in clinical setting. Methods We observed 207 psoriasis patients and 144 atopic dermatitis patients in eight centers. SAPASI, PO‐SCORAD, and VAS measures were used at baseline, at the end, and 3 months after the narrowband UVB phototherapy course. Quality of life was measured using Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), and costs were assessed using a questionnaire. Results In both psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, the DLQI and Self‐Administrated PASI (SAPASI)/Patient‐Oriented SCORAD (PO‐SCORAD) improved significantly and the results remained improved for at least 3 months in both groups. Alleviation of pruritus correlated with better quality of life in both patient groups. We reported slight redness and burning side effects which were due to lack of MED testing. Self‐administered tools proved to be useful in evaluating pruritus and severity of the disease in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. Mean patient costs were 310 € and 21 hours of time, and mean costs for the healthcare provider were 810 €. Conclusion In psoriasis, narrowband UVB is a very efficient treatment in clinical setting, whereas in atopic dermatitis, more studies are needed to determine the best dosage.

OBJECTIVE:To examine the use of consistent practice in pressure injury (PI) prevention based on international guidelines at long-term care facilities in Finland. METHODS:A correlational cross-sectional design was used. The authors collected data from 84 contact persons within 62 participating long-term care facilities in Finland using the Pressure Ulcer Prevention Practice instrument. RESULTS:According to the respondents, the PI prevention strategies practiced most often were skin assessment and skin care; nutrition was the prevention used least often. Consistent practices relating to repositioning were most frequently agreed upon, whereas those relating to risk assessment were least frequently agreed upon. Some of the demographic factors of respondents, including knowledge level and reading of PI prevention guidelines and articles, were associated with the frequency of prevention practices. CONCLUSIONS:Although respondents reported a moderate level of PI prevention based on international guidelines, there were often no consistent practices in the units. Further education about PI prevention might improve the consistent practice of evidence-based PI prevention.

This retrospective study found that pinch grafting is an efficient method of treating chronic leg ulcers, with an overall healing rate over 60%. Patients who complied with compression therapy were most likely to benefit from this therapy.

Objectives: In this histological study, we analysed the use of a new tulip-shaped self-expandable catheter fixed to the fibre for endovenous laser treatment (ELT) in an animal