Welcome to the Wound Blog. My name is Matthew Livingston R.N. and I have a passion for wound management, writing, and teaching. I have devoted the past 4 years to researching topics for my book the Scottsdale Wound Management Guide. I have chosen to use woundblog.com as a way to expand on wound management topics that were covered in the book. Hopefully you will find the wound related articles concise, practical, and easy to understand. Thanks for joining me and please tell others that may be interested in wound management about this blog.
Best Wishes,
Matthew Livingston R.N. B.S.N. C.W.S. A.C.H.R.N.
Matthew Livingston has authored the Scottsdale Wound Management Guide, which is available through HMP Communications at (swmghandbook.com) . Matthew currently practices at an outpatient clinic that sees over 1000 patient visits a month. The clinic specializes in complex wounds including all types of micro-occlusive disorders. Prior to this position he has worked as an inpatient wound consultant, a inpatient wound care team leader for three hospitals, an outpatient wound nurse, and as a hyperbaric treatment nurse.
Matthew Livingston R.N. C.W.S.
May 12, 2011 at 5:50 pm
Congratulations
October 26, 2011 at 9:56 pm
I am very happy to see such a well organized website and also to know it has been created by a nurse. Like you I also like to work with wounds and find this field fascinating. I encountered this site by accident, in one of my usual Internet explorations, which I am glad I did as it will not be the last time I visit. Thank you for all your information and congratulations in your work, I look forward to read your book.
CC
February 10, 2012 at 8:31 am
WHAT a great blog!
Matt, I currently use your blog as a resource and plan to purchase your book. Congrats on your good work, and I look forward to future posts.
Question for you: Have you had any experiences with pulse lavage therapy as a treatment for wounds? In particular, stage III and IV wounds. If so, what are your thoughts on the therapy? Also, what do you think about the new product, “polymem.” I don’t know too much about it, other than, it is a cleansing dressing that supposedly debrides wounds and helps feed new cells. I have also been told that the product helps to reduce pain by inhibiting sodium receptors. The Physician I work for is showing an interest in purchasing the polymem product. I’ve heard good things, but was wondering, if you have used the polymem dressing, and if so, what you think about it?
Thank you for your resource,
KS
February 10, 2012 at 11:16 am
Hey Kathleen,
Thanks for your kind words. I have a lot of experience with pulse lavage in deep full thickness wounds (mostly in the early 2000s). I believe that pulse lavage has lost favor related to the high risk for spreading microorganisms via water droplets that inevitably spray back out of the wound. Two other developments have lead to the reduction in pulse lavage use including VAC (NPWT) and Mist therapies. That being said pulse lavage does have a place in the care of patient’s if the wound is grossly contaminated (say status post traumatic injury to flush debris).
I would review the goals that you expect to achieve when treating the patient with pulse lavage. Typically, pulse lavage helps to reduce slough and prep the wound bed for granulation. Depending on your goals I think there are better solutions. To reduce or loosen slough in high draining wounds I recommend DrawTex (SteadMed). If you fear contamination (and in a hospital setting) I would recommend VAC instill with Microcyn as the irrigant. If the patient is at an ECF, Home Care, or being seen at a wound clinic I would consider going with our classic antimicrobial silver (We use a ton of Silvadene) , but opt for an silver alginate if the patient can’t get the dressing changed daily.
As for the Polymem, I really haven’t used the product so I will have to withhold comment.
Thanks again for the question,
Matthew