Skin care question

i'm not sure if they sell it in the US but QV make a product called QV intensive lotion - it is a 50/50% soft white parifin/liquid parifin creme that is real good for the chronically dry. Also have you tried a soap alternative for your pts... a tad expensive more than soap but often its bubbles without the troubles. Sorbelene creme isn't bad and urea based cremes are good for helping fix the odd dry and cracked regions.

Thanks for the Tip, I have a soap alterative at work, and try to avoid soaps and detergents as much as I can. I have been really trying to keep legs in good shape. This week its been bitter cold and see younger folks with hands that are super dry

Avoid scented creams or lotions. They can irritate, burn, and sting very dry skin.

Good nutrition and hydration helps. Keeping the skin clean and dry and relieving the pressure over the pressure points and preventing friction and shear. Do not pull the pts up in bed....use a lift or draw sheet.

As far as dry skin...we use a basic lotion for reg skin. If the skin is really dry, we might get lubriderm ordered or just use plain old A & D. This seems to help alot.

BTW....this is in LTC...were skin issues are our top concern.

Thanks For all the Tips! -somedays I feel like I need all the help I can!!

Hi

Just to summarise the previous answers to your question and to clarify what we do here in the uk. It is important to treat dry skin internally and externally. Enciurage and document all fluid intake, cleanse patient using an emmoliant and then moisturise with something like 50/50. However be cautious of the feet as patients may slip over. Avoid 'hanging' the heels over the bed as this will cause pressure to the achilles area and possible risk of pressure damage. I am so pleased that you are intent on giving your patients the best up to date care. Do you have education seminars you can attend? At my hospital I run study days on all aspects of maintaining skin integrity which candidates also have to complete a distance learning pack before attending and also compentencies to complete with their unit manager afterwards to ensure they are practising what they have been taught. This is updated on an annual basis

Hi

Just to summarise the previous answers to your question and to clarify what we do here in the uk. It is important to treat dry skin internally and externally. Enciurage and document all fluid intake, cleanse patient using an emmoliant and then moisturise with something like 50/50. However be cautious of the feet as patients may slip over. Avoid 'hanging' the heels over the bed as this will cause pressure to the achilles area and possible risk of pressure damage. I am so pleased that you are intent on giving your patients the best up to date care. Do you have education seminars you can attend? At my hospital I run study days on all aspects of maintaining skin integrity which candidates also have to complete a distance learning pack before attending and also compentencies to complete with their unit manager afterwards to ensure they are practising what they have been taught. This is updated on an annual basis

Wow that sounds wonderful, here there are ce's online but nothing as thourough as the training you have. I have been talking with our wound care nurse and hope to do some shadowing in the clinic on my off days - I love wound care and really trying to work on prevention as much as I can.

tissue viability,

What distance learning do you have them complete???

I,

I have devised a distance learning pack that is the foundation of the study day the candidates will attend. There are 6 different components and competencies which are:

Holistic Care in Tissue Viability

Leg Ulcer Management

Pressure Ulcer Management

Acute/Chronic wound management

Advanced Tissue Viability-Maggot, Negative Pressure and compression bandaging:idea:

Hope this helps if your ever in the UK please visit and attend;)

My sister lives in London and I get there bout every so many years - Small world I guess - now can I get my boss to pay for the flight? I am guessing no but it would be fun to see her rxn to the rec!

how about contact a dressing company and offering to present on one of my days about your experience of wound education and management in US?:nuke:

That is a good Idea!!! I can run it past my boss she is very cool and great at geting things done! Cool - Thanks I did get to see one of my long timers who was transferd to our SNF again Leg ulcers well healed!! I was over the moon she came up to see me in a skirt - it was funny we were talking about being "models" was very neat to see that.. Just helped me confirm that this is really really the best thing in nursing! - Thanks for the tips!