Modalities Flashcards
Removes loosely adhered debris, bacteria, exudate, dressing residue and topical agents.
Facilitates debridement
Promotes moist wound healing
Wound irrigation
Wound irrigation is indicated for
all wound wound types
Wound irrigation is contraindicated for
Wounds with active profuse bleeding
What is the optimal irrigation pressure
4-15 PSI
Optimal irrigation pressure is equivalent to ___ml syringe with a ___guage angiocatheter or ______ on the lowest setting (of 6 psi)
35ml
19 guage
waterpik
Alternatives to irrigation that can have the same effect are
- Soaking wound with saline moistened gauze
- Whirpool
- Pulsed lavage
Whirlpool is considered what type of debridement method?
Non-selective mechanical debridement, good method for removing a lot of necrotic tissue.
Immersion Technique for whirlpools should never exceed what temperature
102, small whirpools range 92-98, large whirlpools never go over 102
The purpose of this modality is similar to irrigation but also promotes circulation, decreases pain, and makes ROM exercises easier
Whirlpool
This modality is indicated for
infected non draining wounds
wounds with thick Eschar or exudate
wounds with loosely adherent, necrotic tissue or debris
Whirlpool
Contraindications for this particular modality include:
- clean/granulating wounds
- Draining macerated wounds
- Tunneling, underminning skinfolds that can be effectively irrigated
- Active bleeding
- For AIs that need to be treated at low temps (precaution)
- Precautions: be aware of patients that are hydrophobic, confused and combative when using this modality.
WHIRLPOOL
What is the treatment time for immersion whirlpool and what should patients be encouraged to perform?
10-20 min, patients should be encouraged to perform AROM activities during treatment.
T/F irrigating wounds immediately after whirlpool treatment has been shown to remove 4x as much bacteria as whirlpool alone
T
What is the frequency usually prescribed for immersion technique whirlpool?
2x/day for acute burns
3x/wk for less serve outpatient wounds.
Describe Showering Technique for whirlpool?
Patient extremity positioned over empty whirlpool, and sprayed with water 92-98 degrees F.
Whirlpool technique can include adding chemical additives to help reduce infection and cross contamination however why aren’t these additives typically used
they tend to be cytotoxic to human cells and puts patient at risk for delayed wound healing, contraindicated for chemical wounds
What are the alternatives to Whirlpool?
wound irrigation, soaking with saline-moistened gauze, pulsed lavage
The purpose of this modality is to irrigate wound bed with precisely calibrated pressure as well as promoting a moist wound environment and facilitating debridement
Pulsed lavage
This modality is indicated for wounds with cavities, tracts such as undermining, tunneling, and wounds that are infected. Wounds that require thorough irrigation or debridement.
Pulsed lavage
It is contraindicated to use this modality on wounds with exposed deep tissue, facial wounds, recent surgical procedures, latex allergy/sensitivity
Pulsed Lavage
What precautions should a prationer be aware of when using pulsed lavage?
- note wounds with new granulation
- if a patient is on anticoagulants
- deep tunneling wounds
- insensitivity
What does pulse lavage do when used with concurrent suction?
applies negative pressure to wound bed, removes irrigant/pathogens, enhances granulation
Describe the method of Saline Irrigation with pulse lavage
5-10 min, 4-5 psi, done everyday twice a day
Describe the method for general pulse lavage?
4-15 psi irrigation, warm 1-3L of irrigant to 102-106 F
time 15-30 min
wear PPE
To prevent cross contamination when using pulsed lavage what should the practioner do?
Administer treatment in a room with 4 walls
cover IV sites and open areas not being treated
wipe down all horizontal surfaces
Name the three electrical stimulation techniques that most research supports to enhance wound healing
Hi Volt pulsed current
Low intensity DC
Microcurrent Stim
What are the 7 ways e-stim facilitates wound healing?
- Restores current of injury-(restores skin battery, epidermis is electro neg and the wound is electro positive, e stim mimics the normal current of injury and stimulates wound healing)
- Causes galvanotaxis-stimulation of cells to move along electrical gradient, attracts macros, neutros, etc)
- Stimulates cells–>general increase in cell proliferation and ehnaces cellular function
- Increases blood flow
- Increases bactericidal abilities–through attraction of macros and neutros
- Reduces Edema-reducing microvascular perm
- Facilitates Debridement -autolytic, esecially if cathode is applied.
Hi-volt pulsed current is indicated for
chronic or recalcitrant wounds or CMMS category III/IV that fail to respond after 30 days of standard care. Pressure ulcers, diatbetic ulcers, surgical wounds
What are the precautions for Hi-Volt/estim
untreated osteomyletis (contra), VIs, neoplastic cells and DVTs, patients with sensory neuropathy. Should not be used in combo with topical agents containing heavy metal ions
Parameters for Hi-Volt
100-105 pps, pulsed, 5x a week can use positive or negative
If a patient is prone to abnormal scar formation what modality would be good to use
e-stim