Characterization of care for patients with wounds in Primary Care

Abstract

This study aimed to describe the treatment of patients with wounds in the Primary Health Care. A descriptive research with quantitative approach. Ninety-three Family Health Units of the city of Recife-PE, Brazil, were selected, and 112 nurses were interviewed from July to December 2011. The record book of bandages and procedures and the dressing form were used as an additional source of data. Frequencies, measures of central tendency and dispersion, prevalence and, for continuous variables, the analysis of variance were estimated. The prevalence of patients with wounds was 1.9% of the estimated covered population. Vascular ulcers accounted for 74.1% of the treated wounds. The dressing was predominantly performed by Nursing technicians, and the products available for this procedure did not match the current technological development. Descriptors: Wound Healing; Primary Health Care; Nursing Care.Objetivou-se caracterizar o atendimento de portadores de feridas na Atenção Primária. Pesquisa de caráter descritivo e abordagem quantitativa. Foram selecionadas 93 unidades de Saúde da Família da cidade do Recife, PE, Brasil, sendo entrevistados 112 enfermeiros, entre julho e dezembro de 2011. Como fontes adicionais de dados, foram utilizados o livro de registro de curativos e procedimentos, e o formulário de penso. Estimaram-se frequências, medidas de tendência central e dispersão, prevalência e, para as variáveis contínuas, foi realizada análise de variância. A prevalência dos portadores de feridas foi de 1,9% sobre a população coberta estimada. As úlceras vasculares corresponderam a 74,1% das feridas tratadas. O curativo foi predominantemente realizado pelo técnico de Enfermagem, e os produtos disponíveis para tal procedimento não corresponderam ao desenvolvimento tecnológico atual.

Assessment of the Effects of Low-Frequency Ultrasound Irradiation Applied to Venous Ulcer Treatment / Avaliação dos Efeitos da Irradiação Ultrassônica de Baixa Frequência no Tratamento de Úlcera Venosa

“…13 These skin lesions have increased in incidence and are closely related to the aging process that currently occurs the Brazilian population, thus demanding special assistance, considering the chronic character, secondary to a basic disease and its repercussions on the quality of life of the client and their relatives. 4 Venous ulcers are lesions that predominantly affect the female sex and this is confirmed in the findings of the research. Venous ulcers are more prevalent in the elderly, older than 65 years old, especially in women, which manifest beyond the wound, reduction of daily activities and chronic-degenerative diseases.…”

“…8 Regarding the products used, we observed the predominance of the use of oils based on essential fatty acids, indicated for the treatment of wounds with granulation tissue, as it promotes chemotaxis and angiogenesis, in addition to maintaining a humid environment and accelerating the tissue granulation process. 2,4 It is also reported in the literature that patients are unaware of compression techniques such as elastic stockings and Unna boot, which are fundamental treatments for venous ulcers since they have the purpose of reducing venous hypertension. 2 The findings of this study are similar to a randomized controlled trial of 90 outpatients where ultrasound was performed three times a week for twelve weeks or until the patient was cured.…”

“…This type of lesion usually results from chronic venous insufficiency, from 80.0 to 85.0%, and from arterial disease (5.0 to 10.0%), with the remainder of neuropathic origin, usually diabetic, or even mixed. 4 In this scenario we highlight the venous ulcers, characterized by late complications of chronic venous insufficiency, which may arise by trauma or spontaneously.…”

“…Nevertheless, the search for technological resources to assist in the treatment of skin lesions has shown favorable results in studies that analyzed bactericidal coatings, biophotonic interventions and biological agents. 3,4 Among the advances, the effects of low-frequency ultrasound in the treatment of skin lesions and chronic wounds are highlighted. The use of ultrasound therapy has been advocated in the wound healing process because its predominant physiological effects act on the tissues at all stages of the wound repair process.…”

Custo da terapia tópica em pacientes com lesão por pressão

“…These data differ from the results found in another research that pointed out the predominance of Essential Fatty Acid in the treatment of pressure injury. 20 The use of the hydrogel is related to the presence of devitalized tissue, due to its high capacity of autolytic debridement, hydrocolloid as a barrier against microorganisms and a therapeutic alternative to prevent complications such as the evolution of stages. It should be emphasized that in the literature it is highly justified the investment in coatings such as hydrocolloid and polyurethane film, since the identification of the patient at risk and the early treatment contain the progression of the lesion at an early stage, contributing to eradicate pain and suffering that may be present at advanced stages and to improve the quality of life and reducing costs.…”