Treatments and healing rates in a community leg ulcer clinic

Chaloner, Donna; Noirit, Janet

doi:10.12968/bjon.1997.6.5.246

Cited by 5 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…Evaluations of community leg ulcer clinics have identified a number of important benefits apart from improvements in healing rates. The clinics provide social benefits, peer support and empathy 18–20 18,19,21,22 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Improved healing rates for chronic venous leg ulcers: Pilot study results from a randomized controlled trial of a community nursing intervention

Edwards

Courtney

Finlayson

et al. 2005

Int J of Nursing Practice

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Venous leg ulcers are a frequent source of chronic ill-health and a considerable cost to health-care systems. This paper reports pilot study results from a randomized controlled trial to determine the effectiveness of a community-based 'Leg Club' environment on improving healing rates of venous leg ulcers. Leg Clubs offer a setting where people with similar problems can socialize in a supportive, information-sharing environment. A sample of 33 clients with a below-knee venous leg ulcer were randomized to treatment, either in their own homes or in a community Leg Club. Treatment was provided to all participants, whether in the control group or intervention group, by a team of trained wound-care nurses following evidence-based assessment and treatment guidelines. Data were collected on admission to the study and at 12 weeks from admission. Results showed a significant improvement in healing in the intervention group compared to the control group, as measured by ulcer area size and Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing scores. These results suggest that a community Leg Club environment provides benefits additional to wound care expertise and evidence-based care. Knowledge gained from this study provides evidence to guide service delivery and improve client outcomes.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The clinics provide social benefits, peer support and empathy 18–20 18,19,21,22 . Some authors have noted that community leg ulcer clinics, often being less formal than other types of care, encourage more people to attend for preventative care and/or treatment 20,23 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improved healing rates for chronic venous leg ulcers: Pilot study results from a randomized controlled trial of a community nursing intervention

Edwards

Courtney

Finlayson

et al. 2005

Int J of Nursing Practice

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“…This might be prevented if the HCPs are aware of the association and have a high-index of suspicion in any ulcer failing to heal despite receiving appropriate treatment. Currently, in the United Kingdom, leg ulcer care is predominantly provided by nurses in the community (57,58). With the recent emergence of community leg ulcer clinics, it is estimated that over 80% of all patients with leg ulcers are cared for in the community by district and practice nurses or by the patients' relative (59).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Currently, in the United Kingdom, leg ulcer care is predominantly provided by nurses in the community (57,58). With the recent emergence of community leg ulcer clinics, it is estimated that over 80% of all patients with leg ulcers are cared for in the community by district and practice nurses or by the patients' relative (59).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Early diagnosis is vital in the management of squamous cell carcinomas associated with chronic non healing ulcers: a case series and review of the literature

Enoch

Miller

Price

et al. 2004

International Wound Journal

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The association between chronic ulcers and squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) is well established. Their clinical presentations, however, are varied, ranging from innocously appearing lesions to overtly exophytic growths. We present a series of cases with heterogeneous clinical presentations and different treatment outcomes. Case series - patient 1 was a 69-year-old man with an 18-month history of static non healing venous leg ulcer, but no sinister features, biopsy was performed to rule out Marjolin's transformation, histology revealed SCC and treatment was simple excision and skin grafting; patient 2 was a 73-year-old lady with an 18-month history of non healing ulcer (innocuous appearance) over distal interphalangeal joint of index finger, histology revealed SCC with deeper extension and treatment was amputation of distal half of finger; patient 3 was a 73-year-old lady with a 12-month history of non healing fungating leg ulcer with irregular borders and everted edges, histology revealed SCC (tumour eroding tibia and distant metastasis) and treatment was above-knee amputation, radiotherapy and palliation. Whilst SCC is amenable to simple excision in the early stages, delay in diagnosis could result in loss of the affected digit or limb; an SCC which has metastasised is also life threatening. Therefore, a low threshold to biopsy static non healing ulcers or ulcers in unusual sites should be adopted even in those not manifesting any evidence of malignancy.

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“…To gain this understanding of patient need, nurses must be able to reflect on their practice. As the management of leg ulcers becomes nurse-led, practitioners must base their decisions on quality research practice (Chaloner and Noirit 1997). Rolfe (1997) described the reflective practitioner performing a simple wound dressing.…”

Section: Reflectionmentioning

confidence: 99%