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Home care nurse management of venous leg ulcers inadequate

Home care nurses had difficulty achieving desired subbandage pressure when treating patients with venous leg ulcers, resulting in inadequate compression therapy, according to a study.

Researchers conducted a cross-sectional study involving 68 home care nurses who managed wounds in their everyday practice.

The researchers examined participant-masked measurements of subbandage pressure using three bandage types, association between achievement of optimal pressure and number of years in the profession, and factors such as attendance of wound care educational programs, previous work experience and bandaging ability confidence.

Thirty-nine of 62 nurses (63%) achieved the optimal subbandage pressure range of 30 mm Hg to 50 mm Hg using a two-component bandage; 41% of the nurses achieved optimal pressure using an elastic bandage, and 40% did so using an inelastic bandage.

The researchers concluded that none of the factors investigated was associated with the ability to apply a bandage with optimal pressure, and that training programs focusing on practical bandaging skills should be implemented.

Disclosures: The authors have no relevant financial disclosures.