ABSTRACT
Surgical alternatives in wound care are a primary consideration for the treatment of nonhealing and traumatic wounds. Using the Reconstructive Ladder as an outline, this article provides an overview of preoperative wound care and the indications for surgical options in wound care. An overview of nursing care is highlighted as each option is reviewed to include perioperative care of the patient.
Subject(s)
Wound Healing/physiology , Wounds and Injuries/nursing , Wounds and Injuries/surgery , Humans , Intraoperative Period/nursing , Preoperative Care , Skin Transplantation/nursing , Tissue Transplantation/nursingABSTRACT
Unlike organ donation, which enjoys a worthy public profile, tissue transplantation remains relatively unheard of. Here, the authors argue that nurses should promote the value of tissue donation, not only to patients but to colleagues as well.
Subject(s)
Tissue Transplantation/methods , Tissue and Organ Procurement/methods , Contraindications , Health Education , Humans , Time Factors , Tissue Transplantation/nursingABSTRACT
Organ and tissue transplantations are now well established procedures; however, a scarcity of donors and the obstacles encountered during the procurement process have resulted in a growing shortage of organs and tissues. This paper reviews the issues surrounding the procurement process and the role that nurses play in that process. Two case studies are presented and discussed in order to identify important issues to address with the family (i. e., clarification about the meaning of brain death, the impact of donation on funeral arrangements, and the costs of donation) and to suggest practical strategies for approaching these issues.
