Aim To measure the relationship between patient participation in pressure injury prevention (PIP) both before and after implementing a patient-centred pressure injury prevention care bundle (PPIPCB).

Methods This before and after intervention study used surveys to measure adult medical patients’ participation in their PIP care and satisfaction with the PPIPCB across three medical inpatient units in an Australian tertiary hospital. Descriptive statistics described the sample and patient intervention satisfaction. A paired samples t-test measured changes in the before and after survey scale scores.

Results Eighty patients, with an average age of 67.2 years (SD=18.3), were recruited during November and December 2019. There were statistically significant increases in total mean scores for the patient participation in pressure injury prevention (PPPIP) scale after the intervention (before: mean=18.6, SD=2.8; after: mean=22.5, SD=1.9). Significant improvements in patients’ self-reported knowledge of pressure injury (PI) risk and perceived levels of participation in their PI care were reported after receiving the intervention. A total of 98.8% of participants agree or strongly agree that they were satisfied with the intervention as delivered.

Conclusion Engaging patients is one way to increase their participation in PIP. Wider clinical adoption appears warranted, with nurses the key to the successful implementation.

Introduction Feedback from placement supervisors has shown that podiatry students are often overwhelmed and lack confidence when placed in complex clinical environments such as high risk foot clinics. Existing literature suggests that student anxiety on placement can reduce the value of learning attained. It is therefore logical that observation-only placement, in the earlier phases of learning, may assist with bridging the gap between theoretical learning and practical application. Currently, limited exists evidence to support this supposition.

Methods and materials 3rd year podiatry students attended a half-day observation at a high risk foot clinic and subsequently completed an online survey following the placement to evaluate their experience. This evaluation was consistent with Levels I/II of Kirkpatrick’s four levels of analysis, examining the degree to which participants found the placement relevant to their learning (Level I), and acquired the intended knowledge,and confidence (Level II).

Results 88% of students agreed that they felt more confident in their clinical abilities, and 94% of students agreed that their understanding of podiatrists’ scope of practice was improved following the observational placement.

Conclusions Inclusion of observational placements within the pre-clinical phase of allied health degrees should be considered as they improve student confidence and can be helpful in consolidation of learning.

Wounds or ulcers result from damage to the body’s surfaces such as skin and mucous membranes. Once damaged, our body starts the repair process which, under normal conditions, is an organised process involving multiple steps, tissues, cells and their products. However, failure of the repair process to occur in a synchronised and timely manner leads to delayed healing. Wounds failing to heal or progress by 8 weeks are usually categorised as chronic wounds. Non-healing chronic wounds are challenging because, with the passage of time, they can affect a patient’s health, their quality of life, their ability to work and subsequently their finances. Wounds that fail to heal are a significant burden on health system budgets worldwide.

Current routine management of wounds includes cleaning, debridement, applying wound dressings, compression bandages and antibiotics. However, non-healing wounds that fail to respond to these measures require advanced clinical methods, some of which have encouraging results. This review article discusses these advanced modalities, with a specific focus on electrical stimulation (ES) as an example of an emerging method being developed for the treatment of chronic wounds.

The rapid and continuing emergence of antimicrobial resistance is challenging our ability to effectively fight bacterial infections. This challenge is particularly felt in clinical settings where patients experience severely infected chronic wounds. Despite the increased development and reliance on silver-based dressings, the evidence underpinning their clinical efficacy is inconclusive and there remain concerns and confusion about their use.

In this review, we describe the rationale for the current use of silver and silver-based wound dressings and highlight the progress and challenges associated with developing more advanced nanoparticle-based dressings for the safe and effective delivery of silver. Specifically, we describe the development of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with unique characteristics that render them applicable for controlling bacterial infections while simultaneously promoting wound healing through mechanisms including the dampening of inflammation and promotion of wound re-epithelialisation. Finally, we describe the latest progress in the development of different types of hydrogels for the therapeutic delivery of AgNPs to infected wounds. The possibility of designing and establishing multimodal silver therapies for the safe and effective treatment of infected wounds would be of great benefit for wound care management and improved patient outcomes.

Aim This paper presents a single case study of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related cryoglobulinaemic vasculitis (CV) manifesting as non-healing skin ulcers (CV-SU). It discusses ulcer characteristics and management, and highlights the impact of quality of life (QoL) issues faced by the patient.

Background Mixed CV is an extrahepatic immune complex-mediated manifestation of HCV. Vasculitides (cryoglobulins) deposit in the endothelium of small to medium blood vessels in the skin and can lead to ischaemia, necrosis, and SUs or lesions. Cryoglobulins precipitate at temperatures below 37^oC, generally in the lower extremities, and redissolve on rewarming. Clinical features include palpable purpura, arthralgia, asthenia and SUs. In severe cases, vasculitis may extend to the lungs, kidneys and nerves.

Methodology The methodology is a descriptive single case study of a 44-year-old male presenting with HCV-induced CV and refractory lower leg ulcers (CV-SU).

Conclusion The management of CV-SU is complex. Resolution requires eradication of HCV, suppression of B cell clonal expansion and cryoglobulin production, and symptom management. The patient’s story highlights the importance of understanding and appreciating the lived experience of the condition and the impact of their QoL.