Nursing process for patients with chronic wounds: A series of successful cases

Abstract

The care of patients with chronic wounds represents a significant challenge for nursing. Recently, healing protocols have been developed that employ extracellular matrices (ECM), achieving complete wound regeneration. These protocols require an individualized care plan led by nurses, who work in multidisciplinary teams and provide a holistic view of the patient, thus improving care management processes. The nursing process, which includes research, logical analysis and interpersonal techniques, has been shown to improve the quality of care. In this study, evidence was presented on the successful management of chronic wounds through a comprehensive protocol in a first level hospital in Girón, Colombia. Three patients with venous insufficiency who had received conventional management without success were selected. The assessment was performed using the NANDA domains, with a diagnosis of impaired skin integrity. The protocol included disinfection, application of Regenesis® matrix and appropriate dressings, with daily photographic follow-up. The first patient, a 74-year-old woman with a 22-year-old venous ulcer, showed complete wound closure in six weeks. The second patient, a 53-year-old woman with a five-year-old venous ulcer, achieved closure in five weeks. The third patient, a 47-year-old man with a three-year-old venous ulcer, experienced complete closure in eight weeks. All patients showed significant improvements in their wound characteristics and had no adverse events. The study concluded that the healing protocol, which integrates the nursing process, is effective in closing chronic wounds in a short period, even in patients who have not responded to conventional treatments. These results underscore the importance of strict adherence to standardized protocols and nurse-patient interaction for successful treatment