TPN

Abstract:

This paper reviewed and categorized evidence to support recommendations in evaluating risk factors, conducting assessments, and several therapy recommendations for venous leg ulcers. Recommendations and questions for the prevention, identification, and treatment of wounds were posed and a systematic review of supporting evidence was presented. Ten recommendations included assessment, direct and indirect treatment strategies, and multidisciplinary input. Evidence from literature review was categorized in levels according to strength of evidence Level A includes randomized clinical trials and meta-analyses of such trials; level B includes clinical trials, and level C involves consensus opinion and experience. Wound assessment practices, history taking (level C), physical assessment (level A), specific wound assessment (level B), and determination of the causes (level C). Therapies included recommendations for compression therapy (level A), surgical management (level A), local wound care (level A), and other medical therapies (level C). Planning recommendations included multidisciplinary input (level A), and communication with caregivers and patients (level C). This article presents work that builds on and supports past work to bring evidence-based care into the clinical management of wounds.

Key words:

Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM), wound care, best practices, venous leg ulcers