Venous leg ulcers are a common problem in the community, with which nurses should be familiar if they are to combat the pain, social isolation and depression that accompany this debilitating condition.
It is important that community nurses know how to assess, diagnose and treat leg ulcers, as well as being familiar with the different types of compression available.
If community nurses apply the information contained in this article, as well as completing the associated online test, they will be better equipped to provide evidence-based care and advice for patients living with venous leg ulceration.
Hilary Holmes and Professor Steven Timmons discuss some research where the objective was to investigate how social care staff working within intermediate care perceived their role in medication management.
Hilary Holmes, RN, BSc
Community Matron, Nottinghamshire County Teaching PCT
Stephen Timmons, MA, MA, MSc, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, University of Nottingham School of Nursing
Article accepted for publication: February 2007
Hydration is an easily overlooked but crucial element of general health that nurses working in the community need to be particularly aware of. Monitoring what people eat and drink is vital if dehydration, as well as deterioration in other conditions such as diabetes, is to be avoided.
