Book review

Abstract

WOUND CARE PRACTICE , SECOND EDITION , TWO VOLUMES–47 CHAPTERS . PAUL J SHEFFIELD AND CAROLINE E FIFE , 2007 , BEST PUBLISHING COMPANY , 1210 PAGES . ISBN: 1-930536-380 . PRICE:$189 . This book is written by 65 different authors who range from a variety of medical/surgical backgrounds and professions with the majority being USA-based clinicians. There are 47 chapters spread across two volumes, and it is a comprehensive resource for practitioners caring for patients with wound healing problems. In the authors' own words, the book evolved from an underlying interest in the role of oxygen in wound healing. This interest is apparent in many of the chapters in both volumes, but there are also chapters dedicated to other wound care topics of a more general nature. Much of the content related to the management of wounds is based on local practice and opinion; however, many of the authors have attempted to include National guidance and current evidence where appropriate. Overall, the book is aimed at practitioners working in the USA or countries that follow a similar form of health care service delivery, therefore clinicians outside of this would need to bear this in mind when assimilating the information into their own clinical practice. Furthermore, newer government guidance such as the new National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP) Pressure Ulcer Staging System (1) has not yet been included in the relevant chapters. Many of the chapters are written by recognised experts in the field of wound care and it is interesting to see the diversity of contributors and topics. The book is divided into six sections and the editors have tried to include every aspect of managing a patient with a wound. Section 1 examines what a chronic or ‘problem’ wound is and introduces the reader to the wound healing process, which is well described and supported by informative illustrations. Section 2 considers the requirements of both patient and wound assessment and evaluates non invasive methods of assessment, here the focus tends to be on transcutaneous oxygen tension (TcpO2). There is also a useful overview of how to search for evidence using a case study as an example. Section 3 considers the principles of wound management with 14 chapters dedicated to a range of wound types and interventions. Each chapter deals with a separate aspect of management and there is minimal overlap in the topics. However, the role of debridement and oxygen does feature in a number of them as one might expect. This section concludes Volume one. Volume two commences with an overview if wound healing across the span of ages and also introduces a novel chapter which the author has called, Prevention: The sixth phase of wound healing. Section 4 Pain, infection and adjunctive therapies explores a range of topics which the title does not necessarily reflect, that is nutrition and hydration and glycaemic control in diabetics are included. Therefore, the reader needs to consider the chapter headings carefully to avoid overlooking some of the more interesting aspects of this section. Section 5 outlines the ethical and legal aspects of providing wound care and is written with those providing hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in mind. Section 6 deals with issues of service delivery and establishing a wound care centre to include reimbursement issues. Again this is focussed on those providing HBOT. A useful component of the book is that all chapters have multiple-choice questions at the end for the readers to test their knowledge. Interestingly, the answers are provided at the bottom of the page rather than in an appendix so the reader may be tempted to look at the answers rather than really testing themselves. In addition some, but not all, chapters have divided their reference list into the various subtopics addressed. This is a very useful feature for the reader as it would help to save time for those wishing to follow up on the primary sources of evidence. There are many examples of treatment pathways or protocols that the reader may find useful and the use of colour images enhances the overall presentation. The book is written in an easy-to-follow style and would appeal to novice practitioners who may be exploring new areas of knowledge or experienced clinicians seeking to extend their current practice or indeed seeking to set up their own HBOT wound care centre. For those seeking a general introduction to the breadth of wound management practices, this would provide a useful resource. For those wishing to delve deeper into the role of HBOT, then this would be an excellent starting place. Samantha Holloway, RGN, MSc 1