Venous leg ulcers: the role of the GP and district nurse.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the healing rates for patients with venous leg ulcers (VLUs) who are nursed by district nurses.


METHODS
The researchers performed a retrospective chart review of patients treated for VLU disease by district nurses to determine the healing rate, time to heal and variables associated with diagnosis. Forty random charts were abstracted from seven surgeries in Oxfordshire.


RESULTS
Forty per cent of patients healed in less than 12 weeks and a further 42.5 per cent healed in 6.5 months. Some trusts and GPs lack understanding of what the district nursing service can offer patients with VLUs.


CONCLUSIONS
If district nurses work collaboratively with GPs, either in the home or in a weekly clinic, they can provide good care to patients with VLUs.
McGuckin
M
M
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, USA.
Brooks
J
J
Cherry
G
G
D000368:Aged; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005194:Family Practice / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D010819:Physician's Role; D019555:Physician-Nurse Relations; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods; D011637:Public Health Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014647:Varicose Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D014945:Wound Healing