Chrisman CA
International wound journal. Date of publication 2010 Aug 1;volume 7(4):214-35.
1. Int Wound J. 2010 Aug;7(4):214-35. doi: 10.1111/j.1742-481X.2010.00682.x. Epub
2010 May 28.
Care of chronic wounds in palliative care and end-of-life patients.
Chrisman CA(1).
Author information:
(1)University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing, Omaha, NE, USA.
cachrisman@cableone.net
The aim of this paper was to provide a literature synthesis on current wound care
practices for the management of chronic wounds in palliative care and end-of-life
patients, focusing on the control of wound-related symptoms for comfort and
improved quality of life. These wounds included pressure ulcers, venous and
arterial leg ulcers, diabetic ulcers and fungating malignant wounds.
Wound-related symptoms included pain, exudate, malodour, infection, bleeding,
dressing comfort and negative psychological and social functioning. Best care
wound practices were formulated for each wound type to ease suffering based on
the literature review. Although symptom management strategies for comfort may
work in tandem with healing interventions, it is important to recognise when
efforts towards wound closure may become unrealistic or burdensome for the
patient at end of life. Thus, unique aspects of palliative wound care feature
clinical indicators for early recognition of delayed healing, quality of life
measurement tools related to chronic wounds, and comfort care strategies that
align with patient wishes and realistic expectations for wound improvement.
DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-481X.2010.00682.x
PMID: 20528993 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
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