Monitoring pressure ulcer healing in persons with disabilities.

Pressure ulcers are a high-risk, high-volume, and high-cost problem for persons with disabilities. This article describes four tools published in the literature and reports the validity, reliability, strengths, and limitations of each. These tools include the Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing (PUSH), the Pressure Sore Status Tool (PSST), the Sussman Wound Healing Tool (SWHT), and the Sessing Scale. Rehabilitation nurses should use a consistent framework with accurate quantification to assess, document, and monitor changes in pressure ulcers over time. Such a measurement tool must prove valid for the disabled population in which the tool is used. This will enable healthcare providers to communicate more effectively and evaluate the therapeutic plan of care.     

Metabolic syndrome: contributing factors and treatment strategies.

Metabolic syndrome is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease. The World Health Organization and National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III have identified physiologic abnormalities associated with metabolic syndrome, including impaired glucose metabolism, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels, and abdominal obesity. It is estimated that 47 million Americans have metabolic syndrome. A variety of therapies may help reduce the incidence and risk, including diet, weight loss, physical exercise, glycemic control, and pharmacological treatments. Nursing care is focused on developing an individualized plan of care that includes family members and providing education, psychosocial support, close monitoring, and continued follow-up to ensure adherence and success in achieving patient outcomes.     

Utility of the PFA-100 as a screening test of platelet function: an audit of haemostasis laboratories in Australia and New Zealand.

The PFA-100 is a relatively new laboratory instrument, first described in 1995. There have since been numerous studies assessing its utility as a screening tool for platelet dysfunction and/or von Willebrand's disease (VWD). The PFA-100 displays variable sensitivity to different types of platelet disorders, as well as to antiplatelet medication (e.g. aspirin), with similar caveats for monitoring of primary haemostasis-promoting therapies in platelet dysfunction. There is therefore considerable uncertainty regarding its utility within this context, and we have accordingly performed an audit of usage among participants of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia Quality Assurance Program. Of 105 laboratories surveyed, 40 responded that they performed platelet function testing, with 26 (65%) further indicating they utilized the PFA-100. We report a wide variety of laboratory usage among these users, including numbers of tests performed [annual median (range) = 270 (15-6000)], sources of requests (clinical sources and localities), testing criteria and follow-up action. Most tests were completed within 4 h of collection, as recommended by the manufacturer, and most tests were performed as a replacement, or as a preliminary screen of platelet function (i.e. classical aggregation). Most abnormal findings, however, were attributed to antiplatelet medication such as aspirin.     

BUILDING THE FOUNDATION OF EXCELLENCE IN HEART FAILURE NURSING

This column contains the presidential address presented during the Third Annual Meeting of the American Association of Heart Failure Nurses on June 28, 2007, in San Diego, California, titled "Building the Foundation of Excellence in Heart Failure Nursing."