Wound Care

PT Vs Nursing Presented by: Nichole Carreon

Question? Why is wound care now more of a physical therapy role instead of a nurse’s role? What sparked the change? How much teaching do Physical therapists get in wound care?

More patients with wounds are in a physical therapy program PT work with patients and are able to identify potential or existing problems Most are trained as Certified Wound Specialist (CWS)

PT role in wound care A physical therapists role is to promote a patients optimal strength and physical abilities. There is a need to help patients with long term wound care as this can cause a patient to become more debilitated by causing more weakness or imbalance. Once these patients become disabled, they often inquire more wounds by sitting for long periods of time in a wheelchair or from lying in bed for long periods of time. Physical therapists not only rehabilitate patients back to health but also need to know the proper training in dealing with wounds.

PT role in wound care Physical therapist use many different methods in wound care such as, proper dressing of a wound to promote healing, evaluating the wound, and different modalities that help in the wound healing process. Care and transferring of the patients with wounds, and also in the teaching of the patient and family members about how to care for and what to look for in a wound.

Modalities Ultrasound - The sound waves of ultrasound are transmitted to the surrounding tissue and vasculature. They penetrate the muscles to cause deep tissue and muscle warming, promoting tissue relaxation for muscle tightness and spasms. The warming effect of the sound waves also cause vessel vasodilatation and increase circulation to the area that assists in healing. You can also adjust the frequency on the machine to use waves that will decrease inflammation. TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) - A small machine that uses electrical transmission to reduce pain. Electrodes are placed around wound and the electrical current sends a tingling sensation to the underlying skin and muscle disrupting the pain signal.

Modalities Electrical Stimulation - An electrical current is used to cause a single muscle or a group of muscles to contract. Contracting the muscle by electrical stimulation helps strengthen the affected muscle. The physical therapist can change the current setting to allow for a forceful or gentle muscle contraction. Along with increasing muscle strength, the contraction of the muscle also promotes blood supply to the area that assists in healing. Whirlpool - You can submerge just an extremity or the whole body. A whirlpool can promote, vasodilatation, increase blood flow, softening or loosing of necrotic tissue, used as mechanical debridement, and pain management Hyperbaric Oxygen - Hyperbaric oxygen therapy provides a significant increase in tissue oxygenation in the hypoperfused, infected wound. It influences the rate of collagen deposition, angiogenesis, and bacterial clearance in wounds. The greatest benefits are achieved in tissues with compromised blood flow and oxygen supply.

PT training in wound care Some get certifications to become Wound Care Specialists. Go to seminars and workshops to earn CEU’s and continue their education on the newest information on wound care. -Basic Wound Care -Dressings -Assessment, Measurement and documentation -Wound healing process - Products that help in wound care

What Sparked the Change?

? - It takes a whole team to Help in the wound care process. -Nurses can provide wound care along with medication therapies. They are the communication between patients, staff, physicians, therapists.

The End

References

http://www.extendedcarenews.com/article/446 http://www.medicaledu.com/ptmodes.htm http://physicaltherapy.about.com/od/abbre viationsandterms/p/Modalities.htm