WOC/ET nursing approaches to venous stasis ulcer management and care

Nursing: WOC ET Approach to Venous Stasis Ulcers

Chronic venous insufficiency is a complicated problem leading to multiple health concerns including venous stasis ulcers. WOC/ET nurses are often challenged with providing the best care for patients with venous stasis ulcers while working with researchers and medical practitioners to identify at risk populations.

This paper will review the role of WOC/ET Nursing in treatment and patient outcomes for individuals diagnosed with venous stasis leg ulcers. Specifically the paper will review the prevalence, etiology, prevention, assessment, care and treatment by WOC/ET nurses in various settings including acute care and home care settings. The article will include details about recent studies reflecting modern treatment approaches and guidelines provided to help nurses provide adequate care for patients with venous stasis ulcers, CVI and related conditions. The paper will conclude with areas for future research.

Prevalence/Etiology/Assessment

Venous insufficiency ulcers or stasis ulcers typically form as side effects of complications with blood flow through the veins (Rastinehad, 2006). Leaky valves and obstructions are partly to blame for stagnated or incorrect blood flow especially to the lower extremities. Typically as blood from the lower extremities begins to college in the leg, tissues surrounding the veins and leg are damaged, and ulcers commonly result (Tyco, 2006). It is important when reviewing venous ulcers to understand the cause and the characteristics so a proper diagnosis may be made. Typically venous stasis ulcers are characterized by distinct symptoms including: ruddy color, shallow depth, irregular margins surrounding wound, infection causing pain or discomfort, capillary refill and advanced skin temperature (Rastinehad, 2006; Tyco, 2006). Patients may also experience brown or reddened skin surrounding the ulcer and may experience edema in the lower calf especially near the ankles (Tyco, 2006). Hiser et al. (2006) note some patients are more at risk than others for developing venous insufficiency and resulting ulcers. These include patients with edema or chronic swelling, venous insufficiency, varicose veins and those who are housebound or do not have access to regular physical fitness to promote blood circulation throughout the lower limbs (Hiser et al. 2006). Most venous ulcers are characterized with irregular boarders and associated with patients with a long history of varicose veins or blood clots, or other vein problems (Tyco, 2006). Typically venous ulcers account for as much as 80% or more of all ulcers in the lower extremities and calves (Hiser et al. 2006).

Rastinehad (2006) describes and attempts to interpret the "complexities of the pain experienced by persons subject to venous ulcers" (p. 252). The author assesses ten participants hospitalized for acute care with pressure ulcers. The results suggest a strong need for increasing attention among nurses to pain assessment and management in patients and in WOC nursing education, practice and research (Rastinehad, 2006). The researcher also suggests commonly used definitions for pain are not adequate for describing the discomfort experienced by patients, and it is important nurses understand this to be able to administer helpful treatments to patients. This sentiment is echoed by other researchers (Doughty, et al. 2006) who note wound assessment is a key element of effective wound care, thus must be undertaken correctly.

WOC nurses should work to assess causative and contributing factors related to various lower-extremity ulcers and recommend treatment modalities according, according to WOCN (2005) guidelines. Among assessment procedures to adhere to include health history compilation and review of specific risk factors which may include presence of LEVD (lower-extremity venous disease) and wound history (WOCN, 2005). WOCN protocols also recommend reviewing labs with information on patient hematocrit and prothrombin time and review of erythrocyt sedimentation rate in patients taking anticoagulant agents (WOCN, 2005). Lower extremity examination is also recommended by (1) assessing skin temperature and color changes (2) reviewing skin for prevalence of paresthesias (3) assessing presence or absence of pedal pulses by palpating dorsalis pedis and posterios tibial pulses and (4) assessing the characteristics of ulcers present (WOCN, 2005). Nurses should also measure the ankle brachial index using Doppler and in some cases consider using Duplex imaging to rule out hemodynamic abnormalities (WOCN, 2005). Certain patients may require referral for examination or to rule out complications including deep vein thrombosis or variceal bleeds (WOCN, 2005).

Prevention

Prevention recommendations may depend on the patient's risk factors for veinous ulcers and the severity of their illness or any conditions precipitating the appearance of ulcers. Many recommend encouraging routine exercise and healthy living, combined with early treatment for veinous insufficiency to help reduce the likelihood venous ulcers will form and cause patient complications (Baronoski & Thimsen, 2003).

Studies often investigate the causes of problems including venous ulcers in search of prevention techniques. Incompetent perforator veins are a key factor in formation and chronic prevalence of venous ulcers in patients (Baron, et al. 2004). The WOCN (2005) guidelines note studies suggest individuals with LEVD and CVI may demonstrate impaired calf muscle function compared with healthier counterparts. Prevention of severe cases may include compression to prevent recurrence of LEVD; higher compression is recommended especially for patients who are not able to afford compression garments (WOCN, 2005). Other recommendations include health promotion by working to reduce edema through compression, though compression is not recommended for patients with ABI (WOCN, 2005). The WOCN (2005) suggests there is not adequate evidence supporting vein surgery to prevent ulcer recurrence, though does support use of compression devices to prevent venous ulcer recurrence in patients and for prevention of venous edema (WOCN, 2005).

Treatment

Acute treatment choices recommended by WOCN (2005) include cleansing wounds at every dressing change and minimizing trauma to the wound; additionally the WOCN recommends avoidance of chemicals that may prove irritating or allergenic especially when working with patients with dermatitis (WOCN, 2005). In certain instances, EMLA cream may be applied to reduce pain or hydrocolloid dressings may be applied under compression bandages (WOCN, 2005). Other helpful strategies for acute cases include use of cadexomer iodine to remove "slough and thus reduce bacterial bioburden" (WOCN, 2005). This method is recommended over wet-to-dry dressings and other measures to "promote faster healing in patients" (WOCN, 2005). The WOCN (2005) guidelines suggest other beneficial treatments may include use of flavonoids or Rutoside in "dosing up to 300 mg twice daily" to stimulate improved healing combined with "short-stretch compression bandages" which may help reduce the pain and discomfort associated with leg ulcers (WOCN, 2006). Compression therapy in general is provides greater benefits than no compression and high compression is better than lower compression (WOCN, 2005). Adjunct therapies that may prove beneficial include ultrasound to help heal ulcers and use of home-based exercise programs on release, which may improve poor muscle tone and "pump function," thereby decreasing the incidence of ulceration in patients (WOCN, 2005).

Baranoski & Thimsen (2003) note that home care nurses and clinical case nurses working in acute care settings have to educate themselves about the Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses Guidance Document on OASIS Skin and Wound Status to understand the best methods for caring for patients with CVI and related conditions.

Recommendations

Many recommend use of minimally invasive techniques including SEPS to treat and address problems related to chronic venous insufficiency (Kalra & Glovisczki, 2002). Multiple studies confirm the safety and efficacy of SEPS when used early, especially resulting from its low complication rates compared with other procedures including the formerly popular Linton procedures (Kalra & Gloiscki, 2002; Lee, et al. 2003; Tenbrook, et al., 2004; Bianchi, et al. 2003).

More randomized clinical trials are necessary however to answer additional questions related to the efficacy of new procedures including SEPS, though this procedures remains important for patients with advanced CVI secondary to PVI or with patients who do not demonstrate other complications including DVT (Kalra & Gloiscki, 2002; Bianchi, et al. 2003).

Wagner-Cox (2005) also notes that it is important for nurses to be considerate, knowledgeable and compassionate toward patients with acute and chronic illnesses, especially when caring for patients in the home. This sentiment emphasizes research suggesting nurse case managers and other critical staff takes into consideration patient's assessment of their pain and discomfort (Hiser, et al. 2006). Pieper et al. (2006) note that WOCN nurses also have a responsibility to patients to adequately address their self-care concerns prior to preparing patients for discharge after surgery, SEPS or treatment for venous ulcers. This education should include discussion of wound care, incision care, symptom management and pain management and also education regarding the patient's quality of life and prevention of new problems (Pieper, et al. 2006). Education is vital to the long-term success and positive patient outcomes, as unmet discharge needs may contribute "to poor patient outcomes and readmission" (Pieper, et al. 2006: 290).

Summary of Literature

The best treatment for any disease whether acute or chronic is prevention. The literature points to the importance of identifying at risk populations. WOC nurses have a responsibility to screen all patients at risk for developing venous stasis ulcers early and recommending appropriate treatment plans taking into consideration their future risk for developing acute or chronic conditions. While it is impossible to prevent all cases of ulcers, much can be done in the way of prevention.

It is vital nurses receive education in new treatments and techniques for diagnosing, assessing and caring for ulcers. The latest research suggests new surgical interventions including use of the SEPS is ideal for treating patients especially those with long-term or long-standing venous ulcers. Thus far all research related to this area of treatment proves promising. The goals of treatment should include not only treating the immediate problem or ulcers but also working with the patient to identify their specific risk factors and educating patients about ways they can prevent future complications.

As researchers uncover newer technology, so too will newer methods of treating venous stasis ulcers arise to help treat patients more effectively. The role of WOCN nurses will also change. However, their role of educator and caregiver for patients is likely to remain the same. The literature does make a final point noting that discharge is one of the most critical aspects of treatment for venous ulcers and related conditions. It is absolutely essential patients are prepared with the information they need to prevent further illness and treat their current illness in the best manner possible. In that respect, hospitals and other health agencies might consider offering WOCN nurses and other key staff members involved in patient recovery and discharge continuing education to ensure they are abreast of the latest techniques and methods for educating patients prior to discharge from the hospital or other health provider's location.

Areas For Future Research

Much of the current literature available on venous stasis ulcers focuses on new surgical interventions including use of SEPS to treat venous ulcers successfully. The future of research will continue to concentrate on new surgical interventions with an emphasis on non-invasive treatment approaches to help patients with venous stasis ulcers and associated problems (Baranoski & Thimsen, 2003; Doughte et al., 2006; Hiser et al. 2006). New techniques will also target prevention more closely enabling nurses and other staff members to better assess patient risk factors for developing venous stasis ulcers and related conditions.

The future of research may also concentrate more on treating the underlying causes of ulcers including chronic venous insufficiency, long standing varicose veins and more (Doughty et al., 2006; Hiser et al. 2006). It is important caregivers always focus on treating illness to the best of their ability, while at the same time looking into new and innovative ways to prevent disease from impacting the quality of lives of those affected as much as possible. Future research should include deciding the best possible ways to educate staff and nurses working with patients on wound care so they are consistently armed with up-to-date information and data to disseminate to patients before, during and after care. This will help promote a more streamlined health care delivery process and ensure the greater good of all involved in treating venous related problems in the young and old alike.

Conclusions

WOC/ET nurse professionals face many challenges when assisting patients with venous stasis ulcers. Fortunately new technologies have afforded patients better care and treatment alternatives. It is vital that nursing staff embark on continuous education plans to ensure they are armed with the information they need to provide optimal patient care in all situations and settings.