By Nancy Collins, PhD, RDN, LD, NWCC, FAND We have made progress in reducing healthcare-associated infections, but still have a long way to go, especially when patients complain of dirty, dingy hospitals and clinics. I feel a little like girl detective Nancy Drew as I ask you to consider the Case of the Dirty Wound Care Clinic. Let me explain. ...
By Nancy Collins, PhD, RDN, LD, NWCC, FAND Patients with wounds usually have multiple medical problems, and often the other diagnoses make meeting the nutritional plan difficult, such as when the wound patient also has cancer. I often discuss the increased nutritional requirements to fuel wound healing. Patients need extra calories and protein each day, plus an adequate amount of ...
By Nancy Collins, PhD, RDN, LD, NWCC, FAND Clearly it is a legal liability when HCPs do not follow doctor’s orders but when the patient chooses not to follow doctor’s orders, things are not so clear. Most of the lawsuits I deal with have more than one named defendant. For example, the plaintiff (typically a deceased patient’s next of kin) ...
Dr. Collins Answers Your Questions Does Poor Nutritional Status Affect Healing of Pressure Injuries? By Nancy Collins, PhD, RDN, LD, NWCC, FAND Note: In the past, pressure injuries were sometimes called pressure ulcers, bed sores, or decubitus ulcers. Is poor nutritional status a risk factor for the healing of pressure injuries? Yes. Poor nutritional status is one of many risk ...
Free PDF Handout Click on this free downloadable handout about Hydroxymethylbutyrate to download the PDF to your computer or phone for future reference. Download Handout ...
By Nancy Collins, PhD, RDN, LD, NWCC, FAND A comprehensive skin assessment should look for more than just wounds because many medical problems have telltale signs that are easy to see if you know what to look for. POA. These three little letters have become very important in wound care because we must document any wounds present on admission (POA). ...
Use A registered dietitian/nutritionist (RDN) or staff educator can deliver this in-service to nurses and nursing assistants in long-term care and/or assisted living facilities. The facilitator may offer attendees the opportunity to taste-test the oral nutritional supplements (ONSs) that are available in the facility for wound healing. Introduction Pressure injuries are a common problem in long-term care. Risk factors for ...
By Nancy Collins, PhD, RDN, LD, NWCC, FAND Note from Dr. Collins: Many years ago I worked in one of the largest acute care hospitals in South Florida. We had many patients who were not eating well because they had mouth sores and pain from chemotherapy. One day someone gave me this recipe handwritten on a loose sheet of paper. ...
By Nancy Collins, PhD, RDN, LD, NWCC, FAND Lawsuits are often settled out-of-court because the medical record documentation is not defensible. Incomplete, illogical, and inconsistent records are far too common so it important to avoid the common pitfalls. After reviewing hundreds of medical charts involved in litigation, I noticed many of the same problems occurring in the documentation over and ...
By Nancy Collins, PhD, RDN, LD, NWCC, FAND Plaintiffs often express shock and disbelief after eschar is removed, which often leaves a wound larger than the original size of the eschar. “We were in shock and couldn’t believe our eyes. It was like half her foot was gone.” “My husband and I were horrified when we saw what they did.” ...
