As the world's attention has been riveted upon the growing COVID-19 pandemic, many researchers have written brief reports supporting the hypothesis that vitamin D deficiency is related to the incidence and severity of COVID-19. The clear common thread among the top risk groups-vitamin D deficiency-may be being overlooked because of previous overstated claims of vitamin D benefits. However, the need to decrease COVID-19 fatalities among high-risk populations is urgent. Early researchers reported three striking patterns. Firstly, the innate immune system is impaired by vitamin D deficiency, which would predispose sufferers to viral infections such as COVID-19. Vitamin D deficiency also increases the activity of the X-chromosome-linked "Renin-Angiotensin" System, making vitamin D deficient individuals (especially men) more susceptible to COVID-19's deadly "cytokine storm" (dramatic immune system overreaction). Secondly, the groups who are at highest risk for severe COVID-19 match those who are at highest risk for severe vitamin D deficiency. This includes the elderly, men, ethnic groups whose skin is naturally rich in melanin (if living outside the tropics), those who avoid sun exposure for cultural and health reasons, those who live in institutions, the obese, and/or those who suffer with hypertension, cardiovascular disease, or diabetes. And thirdly, the pattern of geographical spread of COVID-19 reflects higher population vitamin D deficiency. Both within the USA and throughout the world, COVID-19 fatality rates parallel vitamin D deficiency rates. A literature search was performed on PubMed, Google Scholar, and RSMLDS, with targeted Google searches providing additional sources. Although randomized controlled trial results may be available eventually, the correlational and causal study evidence supporting a link between vitamin D deficiency and COVID-19 risks is already so strong that it supports action. The 141 author groups writing primarily about biological plausibility detailed how vitamin D deficiency can explain every risk factor and every complication of COVID-19, but agreed that other factors are undoubtedly at work. COVID-19 was compared with dengue fever, for which oral vitamin D supplements of 4,000 IU for 10 days were significantly more effective than 1,000 IU in reducing virus replication and controlling the "cytokine storm" (dramatic immune system over-reaction) responsible for fatalities. Among the 47 original research studies summarized here, chart reviews found that serum vitamin D levels predicted COVID-19 mortality Benskin Evidence Linking Vitamin D, COVID-19 rates (16 studies) and linearly predicted COVID-19 illness severity (8 studies). Two causal modeling studies and several analyses of variance strongly supported the hypothesis that vitamin D deficiency is a causal, rather than a bystander, factor in COVID-19 outcomes. Three of the four studies whose findings opposed the hypothesis relied upon disproven assumptions. The literature review also found that prophylactically correcting possible ...

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Patients with acute wounds often delay seeking medical assistance until an incapacitating infection has developed. When such patients come for help at a remote Christian clinic in northern Ghana, West Africa, the goals of care are to resolve and prevent a return of infection, decrease pain, enable an immediate return to normal activities, and facilitate healing. Because the local protocol of care, Edinburgh University Solution of Lime (EUSOL)-soaked gauze, did not meet these goals, the author tried using a variety of donated wound dressing regimens. Ultimately, polymeric membrane dressings (PMDs) were observed to meet patient care needs while also reducing clinic staff time and resources, and a PMD protocol of care was developed. Three (3) representative patients who presented with acute wounds and infection are described: a 20-year-old man with a hand abscess, a 16-year-old boy with a malleolus wound, and an approximately 20-year-old woman with an injection abscess, all otherwise relatively healthy, albeit undernourished. All 3 patients received oral antibiotics, their wounds were initially cleansed and debrided, and an appropriate configuration of either regular or silver-containing PMDs was applied to all exposed wound surfaces. Dressing changes were scheduled based upon the personalized plan of care. In all 3 patients, the pain-relieving properties of PMDs allowed resumption of activities within 1 day of initiating treatment, the dressings' continuous wound cleansing system kept the wounds clean and free of infection despite the challenging environment, and the wounds healed steadily. Managing infected acute wounds with PMDs through complete wound closure was time efficient for clinic staff and met all 4 major patient goals of care. Randomized, controlled studies to compare wound and quality of life outcomes in patients whose infected wounds are managed with PMDs compared with those whose wounds are managed with other advanced dressings are warranted.

Objective: Wound management recommendations usually group dressings by base substrate material or reimbursement codes, even when functional differences are vast (e.g., honey-containing alginates, super-absorbent hydrogels). Polymeric membrane dressings (PMDs) diverge dramatically from conventional foam dressings in functional attributes, indications, and patient results, providing an opportunity to demonstrate the evidence for categorizing dressings based upon functional differences.Approach: A search of ALL published literature describing the use of PMDs, with no date or language limits, was conducted. Documents simply listing a PMD brand name (e.g., PolyMem) as one of many “foam” dressings were eliminated. The subset of evidence evaluating PMDs for tissue damage resulting from pressure (pressure ulcers, pressure injuries, henceforth: PUs) was summarized.Results: Studies of PMDs, primarily from independent clinician-researchers, have accumulated into a significant evidence base over the past 30 years. PMDs actively cleanse and debride wounds, balance moisture, relieve pain, and limit inflammation: all functions not shared by conventional foams.Innovation: This article supports a paradigm shift for wound management guidance materials to embrace a more evidence-based, patient-centered method of classifying products. The results presented here, using PMDs for PUs as an example, show that functional attributes, indications, and patient results are not always dictated by dressing substrates. Rather than being comparable with conventional foam dressings, PMDs have substantially enhanced functions and results.Conclusion: These results strongly support the author's assertion that evidence-based wound management requires guidelines and recommendations that categorize advanced dressings based upon how they function in real-life settings, rather than upon their base substrate.

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