Archive

Original article:
Assessment of public knowledge about burns and first aid

Katarzyna Cierzniakowska, Elżbieta Kozłowska, Aleksandra Popow, Malwina Kępa, Maria T. Szewczyk

LECZENIE RAN 2023; 20 (1): 1-12

Online publish date: 2023-04-05

Introduction:
A burn is defined as damage to the skin as well as deeper structures, resulting
from contact with an energy source. The aim of the study was to assess
society’s knowledge about burns and first aid.

Material
and methods:
Five hundred people took part in the study. It was conducted in the form of an
online survey posted on social media. The survey questionnaire included 17
questions.

Results:
Women accounted for 55% of the study group (n = 275). The average age of the
respondents was 36.1 years. The vast majority lived in the city. Every third
respondent had higher education. The largest group consisted of respondents
with an average level of knowledge about burns (41.6%). Every fifth respondent
presented little or no knowledge in the scope of dealing with burns. The
average point value of the level of knowledge about burns was 7.75 ±1.94 points
(minimum 0.2 points, maximum 10.5 points). It was observed that the following
had a significant impact on the knowledge of the respondents (p < 0.05):
their education, a connection with the practice of the medical profession, a
burn they had suffered in the past, and the declaration of readiness to provide
first aid.

Conclusions:
The factors determining knowledge about burns, and especially about proper
first aid, include the following: higher education, practicing medicine, own
experience in the field of burn injury, and readiness to provide first aid.

key words:
burn, knowledge, first aid

Review article:

Specialist dressings for the treatment of infected wounds and those at risk of infection

Izabela Kuberka

LECZENIE RAN 2023; 20 (1): 13-18

Online publish date: 2023-04-05

An important element that affects the healing process and the patient’s subjective perception of the treatment process is the appropriate selection of a specialized dressing, which takes into account its structure. The paper described selected forms of dressings (creams, ointments, hydrogels) and the possibilities of their application in practice. Methods of application and the possibility of combining them with other dressings were considered. Elements of the TIME strategy, which promotes the support of natural healing mechanisms, should be used to systematize the management of hard-to-heal wounds and the choice of dressing at different stages of healing. By combining systematicity in handling each dressing change and its correct application, optimal conditions for wound healing can be attained.

key words: speciality dressings, silver, chronic wounds

Skin complications in patients with an intestinal stoma

Elżbieta Kozłowska, Katarzyna Cierzniakowska, Aleksandra Popow, Maria T. Szewczyk

LECZENIE RAN 2023; 20 (1): 19-25

Online publish date: 2023-04-05

An intestinal stoma is a deliberately performed connection of the intestinal lumen with the surface of the body as a result of a surgical procedure. The proper functioning of a stoma has a large impact on its acceptance by the patient and on his/her quality of life. Despite the continuous improvement of surgical techniques and appropriate preoperative preparation of the patient, complications of the skin around the stoma are still the biggest problem for the patient. They occur with high frequency and result in leakage of ostomy equipment and increased cost of stoma care. Complications of the stoma in many cases can be effectively prevented. Knowledge of risk factors for skin lesions allows for their early elimination or for appropriate preventive measures to be taken.

key words: intestinal stoma, skin complications in the stoma area, moisture-related skin damage in the stoma area

Review article:

Cultural aspects of wound care

Piotr Wojda

LECZENIE RAN 2023; 20 (1): 26-34

Online publish date: 2023-04-05

Introduction:
The increase in migration increases the likelihood of caring for a patient from a different culture. Cultural and religious factors may determine the wound healing process. The aim of the study was familiarize wound care nurses with patients’ cultural and religious beliefs that may affect the wound healing process.

Material and methods:
An online database was searched using the PubMed and Google search engines. Then, the available literature was analysed that met the conditions for inclusion in the study of the subject of the article, and the selected content was used in the work.

Results:
Cultural and religious factors have a significant impact on the process of wound formation and the course of treatment (nutrition restrictions, selection of dressings, superstitions, the use of alternative methods of treatment). It should be emphasized that spiritual leaders consent to the use of medicinal products prohibited by religion, with the informed consent of the patient, in order to save human health

Conclusions:
Nurses should be aware of their patients’ cultural beliefs about wounds and incorporate them into the wound management process.

keywords: wound care, culture, nursing

Review article:

Methods of wound dressing by Jan Mikulicz-Radecki during his activity in Cracow

Jerzy Król, Joanna Radwan, Marianna Zygmunt

LECZENIE RAN 2022; 19 (4): 136-139

Online publish date: 2023-03-22

Wound dressing is a field of medicine that is often underestimated by modern researchers. Due to the use of a sterile operating field, antiseptics and antibiotic therapy, the fear of infections – common hundreds of years ago – has receded into the background. The principles that allow modern surgeons such comfort have been refined over the centuries by medical pioneers. One of them was one of the most famous doctors: Jan Mikulicz-Radecki, whose nationality is disputed till today. Besides merits such as the construction of a gastroscope, chambers for thoracic surgery or describing surgery techniques, he was also famous for techniques of antiseptic wound dressing. This article describes the methods used in the treatment of wounds in the Surgical Clinic in Cracow during the management by Jan Mikulicz-Radecki. It focuses on antiseptics such as: carbol, sublimate and the most commonly used iodoform. It also compares the methods used in other European centers.

key words: history of medicine, Jan Mikulicz-Radecki, wound care, Poland, Cracow

Case report:

The importance of proper cleaning of the wound and the skin around the wound in a patient after foot injury – a case report

Sylwia Rogowska

LECZENIE RAN 2023; 20 (1): 44-50

Online publish date: 2023-04-05

Wound treatment should be based on the TIME strategy including proper wound assessment and debridement, control of infection and inflammation, moist wound management, and support for epithelialization, including care of the wound edges. A challenge in hard-to-heal wounds is bacterial biofilm, which is thought to be present in 60–80% of chronic ulcers vs. 6% of acute wounds. Therefore, it is crucial to pay attention to activities related to the eradication of biofilm from the wound and hygiene of the surrounding skin. In the presented case report, the acute wound was complicated. The use of the TIME strategy, the 4-step strategy of Wound Hygiene, and patient education supported the therapeutic process and enabled full healing after 6 weeks of therapy at home.

key words: acute complicated wound, TIME strategy, home care, octenidine, wound hygiene