This article looks at wound dressings, comparing traditional ribbon gauze dressing with occlusive dressings, focusing on the use of calcium alginates. The author looks at the nursing responsibilities concerning the choice of wound products from a professional and ethical perspective. She makes important recommendations about how this knowledge can be integrated into nursing practice in the operating theatre.
ChoucairM., PhillipsT.1996A Review of Wound Healing and Dressing MaterialsWounds8(5) 165–172
6.
ClancyJ., McVicarA.1997Haemostasis – the key concept to physiological controlBritish Journal of Theatre Nursing7(4) 25–34
7.
DawsonC., ArmstrongM.W., FulfordS.C.V., FaruqiR.M., GallandR.B.1992Use of Calcium Alginate to Pack Abscess Cavities: a controlled clinical trialThe Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh37177–179
8.
DealeyC.1998Obtaining the Evidence for Clinically Effective Wound CareBritish Journal of Nursing7(20) 1236–1237
FosterL., MooreP.1997The Application of a Cellulose-based Fibre Dressing in Surgical WoundsJournal of Wound Care6(10) 469–473
11.
GouldD.2001Clean Surgical Wounds: prevention of infectionNursing Standard15(49) 45–52
12.
IngramM., WrightT.A., IngoldbyC.J.1998A Prospective Randomised Study of Calcium Alginate (Sorbsan) Versus Standard Gauze Packing Following HaemorrhoidectomyThe Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh43308–309
13.
KlothL.C., McCullockJ.M., FeedarF.1990Wound Healing: alternatives in managementPhiladelphia, FA Davis Company
14.
MooreP., FosterL.1998a Acute Surgical Wound Care 1: an overview of treatmentBritish Journal of Nursing7(18) 1101–1106
15.
MooreP., FosterL.1998b Acute Surgical Wound Care 2: the wound healing processBritish Journal of Nursing7(19) 1183–1187
16.
MorganD.1996Alginate DressingsJournal of Tissue Viability7(1) 4–13
17.
MorganD.A.1999Wound Management Products in the Drug TariffThe Pharmaceutical Journal263820–825
18.
MoyL.S.1993Management of Acute WoundsWound Healing11(4) 759–60
19.
Nursing and Midwifery Council2002Code of Professional ConductLondon, NMC
20.
RichA.1998Selection and Appropriate Use of Wound DressingsPrescriber5104–106
21.
RobinsonB.J.2000The Use of a Hydrofibre Dressing in Wound ManagementJournal of Wound Care9(1) 32–34
22.
ThomasS.1990Wound Management and DressingsLondon, The Pharmaceutical Press
23.
ThomasS.2000a Alginate Dressings in Surgery and Wound Management: part 2Journal of Wound Care9(3) 116–119
24.
ThomasS.2000b Alginate Dressings in Surgery and Wound Management: part 3Journal of Wound Care9(4) 163–166
25.
TurnerT.D.1985Which Dressing and Why? In WestabyS. (ed) Wound CareLondon, William Heinemann Medical Books Ltd
26.
WatretL., WhiteR.2001Surgical Wound Management: the role of dressingsNursing Standard15(44) 59–69