Managing thermal injuries within WOCN practice.
WOC nurses may be asked to manage small burn wounds or to follow up with patients who have residual wound care issues after recovering from a major burn injury. Aspects of care include identifying patients who warrant a higher level of burn care expertise, managing small wounds, recognizing the common complications of burns, and determining the needs of patients undergoing burn rehabilitation. Persons managing burn wounds will incorporate a variety of techniques to facilitate wound cleansing and dressing, pain management, psychological support, and minimization of complications. In addition, depending on the setting, extent, and nature of the wounds, the patient's abilities and rehabilitation requirements will need to be determined. The patient and his or her family need to be educated about the normal changes that follow a burn injury and how to manage these issues.
Helvig
Elizabeth I
EI
Clinical Education, Box 359733, Harborview Medical Center, 325 Ninth Ave., Seattle, WA 98104, USA. ehelvig@u.washington.edu
D002056:Burns / Q000451:nursing* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans