Media Releases

Guide aims to improve wound management

October 2006.- The bewildering number of ways used to treat wounds today has led Mercy Hospice Auckland to commission New Zealand’s first evidence based book on the subject.

Guidelines for Wound Management in Palliative Care was launched at Mercy Hospice Auckland on October 4 and is aimed at improving wound care for hospice patients and people receiving palliative care.

Wellington Hospital Clinical Nurse Educator and Lecturer Wayne Naylor wrote the guidelines and a grant from Genesis Oncology Trust paid for their printing.

The guide discusses wound care basics, how to manage specific wounds and wound dressings - ranging from sterile honey treatments to silver impregnated dressings. The guide has been independently reviewed to ensure it is accurate and up to date.

Wayne Naylor, based in the Wellington Blood & Cancer Centre, has a Post-Graduate Certificate in Clinical Nursing (Palliative Care) and was a recent recipient of the Lady Todd Memorial Prize in Nursing and Midwifery. Wayne developed his expertise in wound management during his time at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London. Wayne has published numerous journal articles and book chapters on the subject.

Wound care, primarily an area managed by nurses, can be difficult at any time Wayne Naylor says, but with chronically ill patients who can develop a number of complex wounds, it can become extremely challenging. “There are often difficult-to-manage symptoms associated with these wounds, which in turn can lead to distressing psychological and social problems,” he says. “Wound management for these people represents a unique challenge requiring a holistic and innovative problem solving approach.”

Nurses, particularly those working in the palliative care area, will find this guide will be extremely useful in working with patients Mercy Hospice Auckland CEO Jan Nichols believes. “It is based on best practice, comprehensive, very easy to read and understand and especially helpful having locally available dressings listed in alphabetical order,” she says.

“We are delighted that the guidelines have been published and sincerely believe they will make a positive contribution to palliative care throughout New Zealand.”