Leg wound infections following cardiac surgery: a scoring system for assessment and management. J Wound Care 2005 Jul;14(7):337-40
Date
07/29/2005Pubmed ID
16048221Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Well-defined criteria are needed to provide guidance for the appropriate management of leg wounds following saphenous vein harvest in coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG).
METHOD: A score named DISINFECT was devised to carefully define the variables to be considered for assessing saphenous vein harvest wounds.
RESULTS: This preliminary study included 100 consecutive patients undergoing first-time isolated CABG requiring the saphenous vein as a conduit. Wounds were assessed and the points combined to create a daily score (D) according to the presence of increased C-reactive protein/white blood cells (I), surrounding tissue (S), quality of the incision (I), new skin (N), foreign material (F), exudate (E), positive cultures (C) and temperature (T).
CONCLUSION: Taking into account the stages of wound healing, severity of infection and appropriate use of antibiotics, this method of wound management would improve the consistency with which leg wounds are managed, reduce hospital stays and increase resistance to hospital-acquired infection.
Author List
Elahi MM, Haesey AM, Graham KC, Battula NR, Manketlow B, Dhannapuneni RR, Hickey MSAuthor
Narendra Battula MD Associate Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AgedAged, 80 and over
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Coronary Artery Bypass
Exudates and Transudates
Female
Humans
Leg
Male
Middle Aged
Nursing Assessment
Nursing Evaluation Research
Nursing Records
Observer Variation
Predictive Value of Tests
Risk Factors
Saphenous Vein
Severity of Illness Index
Skin Care
Suppuration
Surgical Wound Infection
Tissue and Organ Harvesting
Wound Healing
