Nurses' and patients' feelings of disgust associated with malodorous wounds

NewsBot · Aug 16, 2016

Members do not see these Ads. Sign Up.
Exploring nurses' and patients' feelings of disgust associated with malodorous wounds: a rapid review.
Ousey K, Roberts D
J Wound Care. 2016 Aug 2;25(8):438-442.

OBJECTIVE:
To identify primary empirical research related specifically to feelings of disgust associated with malodorous chronic cutaneous wounds.
METHOD:
A rapid review of the literature using the key words disgust; wounds; malodour and psychosocial.
RESULTS:
A total of 163 papers were retrieved with seven being included for the final review. Themes emanating from the review were malodour, health-care professionals coping with malodour and disgust. Malodour is a concern to patients, which can sometimes go unreported by nursing staff; although the reasons for this remain unclear. The coping mechanisms developed by nurses in response to 'disgusting' wounds requires further exploration in order for a fuller understanding of these mechanisms to be achieved. This review has identified that both health-care professionals and patients can become distressed at wound odours, yet there is little evidence that is available to guide people as to how to manage these feelings.
CONCLUSION:
Hard-to-heal or chronic cutaneous wounds, such as leg ulcers and diabetic foot ulcers, are an increasing global health-care issue. While some research has been undertaken to explore the psychological impact of living with a fungating carcinoma; much less has been written about the management and mitigation of feelings of disgust for patients and families living with a malodorous wound or how health-care professionals can effectively provide psychosocial care.
Click to expand...

NewsBot The Admin that posts the news.

Nurses' knowledge on diabetic foot ulcer disease and their attitudes towards patients affected

Nurses' knowledge of foot care

Nurses' foot care activities in home health care

Patients' awareness of the prevention and treatment of the selected podiatry diseases

Identifying patients' agendas improves consultations

Share This Page