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Glossary Term
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Main Description
|
Additional Description
|
| "Cure" Products |
Products for the course of treatment of any disease or of a special
case. |
Resulting in the successful treatment of a disease. |
| Antimicrobial |
An agent for killing microorganisms or inhibiting their multiplication
or growth. |
Antimicrobial agents can be found in sanitizers and other antimicrobial products. |
| Baseline |
A known value of quantity used to measure or assess an unknown. |
Baseline can be a known norm (standard) or vary from person to person
(individual norm). |
| CHG |
Chlorohexidine Gluconate |
Antibacterial agent. |
| Cross-contamination |
Process by which pathogens are transferred from one person/place to
another. |
Can result in nosocomial infections. |
| Efficacy |
Strength, effectiveness. Efficacy should be distinguished from
activity, which is limited to a drug's immediate effects on the microbe
triggering the disease. |
The ability of a drug to control or cure an illness. |
| Emollients |
Softening or soothing. |
As an ingredient can provide skin softening. |
| Gram-negative |
A method of staining bacteria using a violet stain.
Differentiates bacteria into gram-positive and gram-negative. |
Assists in the identification of a bacteria which aids in the
selection of a treatment regime. |
| Gram-positive |
A method of staining bacteria using a violet stain.
Differentiates bacteria into gram-positive and gram-negative. |
Assists in the identification of a bacteria which aids in the
selection of a treatment regime |
| Infection Control |
Programs of disease surveillance, generally within health care facilities,
designed to investigate, revert, and control the spread of infections and
their causative microorganisms. |
Health care facilities generally employ physicians and/or nurses as
administrators of infection control programs. |
| In-Vitro |
Within a glass, observable in a test tube, in an artificial environment. |
Research/studies conducted in a laboratory or artificial conditions. |
| In-Vivo |
Within the living body. |
Research/studies involving living subjects. |
| Iodine |
An ingredient used for the purpose of killing or inhibiting the growth
of bacteria. |
Antibacterial agent. |
| Latex Compatible |
Pertaining to maintaining the composition (protective barrier) of latex. |
Usually referring to latex gloves used by health care workers. |
| MRSA |
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. |
A prevalent nosocomial pathogen. In hospitals, the most important
reservoirs of MSRA are infected or colonized patients. The main mode
of transmission is the hands. |
| No-socomial |
Pertaining to or originating in the hospital, said of an infection
not present or incubating prior to admittance to the hospital, but generally
occurring 72 hours after admittance. |
Hospital acquired disease usually referring to patient disease, but
hospital personal may also acquire nosocomial infection. |
| Pathogen |
Any disease-producing agent or microorganism. |
Pathogens are easily transmitted from person to person, person to object
or object to person. Handwashing is essential in preventing the transmission
of pathogens. |
| PCMX |
Para-Chlora-Meta-Xylenol |
Antibacterial agent. |
| Persistence |
The tendency of a cell to continue moving in one direction: an internal
bias on the random walk behavior that cells exhibit in isotropic environments. |
Viruses that persist in a cell population, animal, plant or population
for long periods often in a nonreplicating form, by such strategies as
integration into host DNA, immunological suppression or mutation into forms
with slow replication. |
| Protocol |
The written plan specifying the procedures to be followed. |
Health care settings identify protocols as standards for the provision
of patient care. |
| Secondary Barrier |
Any barrier excluding a primary defense (intact skin) used as a partition
or obstruction to prevent the exchange of materials. |
Secondary barriers would include the use of items such as gloves, gowns
and masks. |
| Triclosan |
A diphenyl ether derivative used in cosmetics and toilet soaps as an
antiseptic. It has some bacteriostatic and fungistatic action. |
Pharmacological action: anti-infective agents, local. |
| Universal Precautions |
The CDC defines universal precautions as a set of precautions designed
to prevent the transmission of bloodborne pathogens when providing first
aid or health care. |
All health care workers should routinely use appropriate barrier precautions
to prevent skin and mucous membrane exposure during contact with any blood
or body fluids |
| VRE |
Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus |
A mutant strain of Enterococcus that cannot be controlled with antibiotics.
It can cause life-threatening infections in people with compromised immune
systems, the very young, the very old and the very ill. |
| Abscess |
Localized collection of pus in any part of the body. |
An acute abscess is characterized by inflammation, pain and possible
increase in temperature. |
| Aerobe |
A microorganism which lives and grows in the presence of oxygen. |
Aerobes are commonly found on the skin |
| Anaerobe |
A microorganism which lives and grows in the absence of oxygen. |
Anaerobe present in a wound are a potential problem with occlusive
dressings |
| Anti-Bacterial |
An agent that kills, or inhibits the growth of bacteria |
Certain antibacterial agents, such as iodine or CHG, are toxic to blood
components |
| Auto-Debridement |
The removal by disintegration or liquification of tissue or of cells
by the body's own mechanisms (leukocytes/enzymes). |
Specialty dressing designed to create moist wound environment promote
natural auto-debridement |
| Bactericidal |
A property of an agent which destroys (kills) bacteria. |
Hibiclens and Betadine Surgical Scrubs have bactericidal properties. |
| Blanching |
To become white with pressure; maximum pallor. |
Blanching will occur in an area where more than 20 mm of external pressure
has been introduced. |
| CDC |
Center for Disease Control |
|
| Cell Migration |
Movement of cells in the repair process. |
Following injury to the skin, epithelial cells migrate across the wound
surface. |
| Cellulitis |
Inflammation of loose connective tissue, characterized by redness,
swelling, and tenderness. |
A complication of strep infection could be cellulitis in the lower
extremities. |
| Chemotaxis |
The attraction of leukocytes (white blood cells) to a specific part
of the body by chemical stimuli. |
Agents that interfere with chemotaxis can reduce the body's natural
defense to infection |
| Collagen |
Main supportive protein of skin tendon, bone, cartilage, and connective
tissue. |
Collagen is synthesized from fibroblast and it replaces lost dermis. |
| Contaminate |
To become soiled by contact or introduction of organisms into a wound. |
Most wounds are contaminated, but few are infected. |
| Debridement |
Removal of devitalized tissue by mechanical means; enzymatic infections
are a potential problem with occlusive dressings. |
By optimizing the would healing environments, Specialty wound care
dressings and gels will assist in debridement. |
| Debris |
Remains of broken down or damaged cells or tissue. |
Wound cleansers can be used to remove debris from the wound. |
| Decubitus |
A misnomer for a pressure sore. |
Decubitus is an outdated term for pressure sore. |
| Denude |
Loss or removal of epidermis/epithelial covering. |
When excessive friction is applied the skin can become denuded. |
| Dermal Wound |
Loss of skin integrity; may be superficial of deep. |
Dermal wounds include both pressure sores as well as leg ulcers. |
| Dermis |
The inner layer of skin in which hair follicles and sweat glands originate. |
The dermis doesn't have the ability to regenerate once destroyed. |
| Edema |
The presence of abnormally large amounts of fluid in the interstitial
space, which leads to swelling. |
Poor circulation may lead to edema, especially in the lower extremities. |
| Enzymes |
Catalysts for biochemical reactions that ate capable of breaking down
tissue. |
Enzyme products may be used to debride necrotic tissue. |
| EPA |
Environmental Protection Agency |
|
| Epidermis |
The outer cellular layer of skin. |
The epidermis, which will regenerate when damaged, is composed of dead
epithelial cells. |
| Epithelialization |
Regeneration of the epidermis across the wound surface. |
Moist wound healing promotes rapid epithelialization. |
| Erythema |
Redness of the skin surface produced by vasodilatation. |
Erythema is seen during the early stages of wound healing. |
| Eschar |
Thick leathery necrotic tissue; devitalized tissue. |
An eschar will form on wounds which have been left exposed to
the environment. |
| Exudate |
Accumulation of fluids in a wound. May contain serum, cellular
debris, bacteria, and leukocytes. |
Patients treated with Epi-Lock will generally experience a temporary
increase in exudate, which is part of the moist wound healing process. |
| FDA |
Food and Drug Administration |
|
| Fibrin |
A protein which is deposited as a fine interlacing filament which entangles
red and white blood cells. |
Excessive fibrin deposits in the wound will lead to excessive scarring
potential. |
| Fibroblast |
Any cell from which connective tissue is developed. |
When a wound is allowed to heal with a scab, there is an excess of
fibroblast present and in general there may be more scarring. |
| Friction |
Surface damage caused by skin rubbing against another surface. |
When a patient is moved incorrectly, friction may occur and skin damage
is likely. |
| Full-thickness |
Tissue destruction extending through the dermis to involve the subcutaneous
layer and possible muscle and/or bone. |
Certain types of dressings are not indicated for use on full-thickness
wounds which involve muscles, tendons or bones. |
| Granulation |
The formation of growth of small blood vessels and connective tissue
in a full thickness would. |
Granulation tissue in the wound base has a beefy red, moist, cobblestone
appearance. |
| Hydrophilic |
Attracting moisture. |
Calcium alginates and foam dressings are hydrophilic and helps to manage
exudate. |
| Hydrophobic |
Repelling moisture. |
Thin film dressings outer surface hydrophobic and allows the
patient to bathe without damage to the wound. |
| Hyperemia |
Presence of excess blood in the vessels; engorgement. |
When a leg ulcer is dressed too tight hyperemia may occur. |
| Infection |
Overgrowth of microorganisms capable of tissue destruction and invasion,
accompanied by local or systemic symptoms. |
Redness, swelling, burning and fever usually accompany infection. |
| Inflammation |
Defensive reaction to tissue injury; involves increased blood flow
and capillary permeability and facilitates physiologic clean-up of wound.
Accompanied by increased heat, redness, swelling and pain in the affected
area. |
Inflammation is a normal sequence required for wound healing. |
| Insulation |
Maintenance of wound temperature close to body temperature |
Thermal insulation is one of the ideal dressing characteristics found
in certain dressing. |
| Ischemia |
A deficiency of blood due to functional construction or obstruction
of a blood vessel to a part. |
Ischemia will occur when more than 20 mm of pressure is applied to
an area of the body. |
| Lesion |
A broad term referring to wounds or sores. |
DuoDerm may be used on various types of lesions. |
| Leukocytes |
White blood cells which act as scavengers and help combat infection.
Types include macrophages, neutrophils and monocytes. |
Leukocytes are not destroyed when a wound is cleaned with Shur-Clens. |
| Maceration |
Softening of tissue by soaking in fluids. |
Maceration will occur when the skin is in contact with excess exudate
for a prolonged time period. Moist wound dressings wick away exudate
and be absorbed by a secondary dressing. |
| Macrophage |
A type of leukocyte which has the ability to destroy bacteria and devitalized
tissue. |
Macrophages are white blood cells which protect the body and are easily
destroyed by antiseptic agents. |
| Necrotic |
Referring to the death of some or all cells in a small, localized area. |
Necrotic tissue may be removed by the autodebriding properties promoted
by moist wound drssing or enzymes. |
| Neutrophil |
A type of leukocyte which has the ability to destroy bacteria and devitalized
tissue; also called microphages. |
Neutrophils are circulating white blood cells necessary for phagocytosis. |
| Occlusive |
To retain or prevent the passage of gas, liquid or solid. |
Duoderm is a hydrocolloid type of dressing which is occlusive. |
| Partial-thickness |
Loss of epidermis and possible partial loss of dermis. |
Traumatic lacerations and stage II pressure sores are two examples
of partial-thickness wounds. |
| Pathogen |
Any disease-producing agent or microorganism. |
The construction of Epi-Lock prevents secondary invasion by pathogens |
| Perfusion |
The passage of blood and/or fluid through an area of the body. |
Low blood perfusion can result in the lack of nutrients to the cells
around a dermal ulcer. |
| Phagocyte |
Cells having the ability to ingest and destroy particulate substances. |
Phagocytes which help clean out the wound are easily destroyed by toxic
antimicrobial agents. |
| Phagocytosis |
Ingestion or digestion of bacteria and particles by phagocytes which
include macrophages, neutrophils, and monocytes. |
Phagocytosis is maximized when a moist healing environment insulates
the wound and creates an environment which equals normal body temperature. |
| Pressure sore |
An area of localized tissue damage caused by ischemia due to pressure. |
Pressure sores are most commonly on the heel, the hip and the sacrum
areas. |
| Pus |
Thick fluid indicative of infection containing leukocytes, bacteria
and cellular debris. |
Many people, unfamiliar with most wound healing will mistake exudate
for pus. |
| Scab |
Dried exudate covering superficial wounds. |
When blood is allowed to dry, a scab will form. |
| Semi-occlusive |
Permeable to gases, but not to liquids or solids. |
Certain polyurethane foam dressings are semi-occlusive |
| Shear |
Trauma caused by tissue layers sliding against each other; results
in disruption or angulation of blood vessels. |
Skin will shear when a patient is moved carelessly. |
| Sinus tract |
A course or pathway which can extend in any direction from the wound
surface; results in dead space with potential for abscess formation. |
Because of sinus tracts, many wounds are actually larger than they
appear at the surface. |
| Slough |
Loose, stringy necrotic tissue. |
When a specialty dressing is first applied to a wound slough may occur
until the wound stabilizes. |
| Undermine |
Tissue destruction underlying intact skin along wound margins. |
Wounds treated with moist wound specialty dressings may appear to enlarge
due to undermining which has already occurred. |
| Vapor permeable |
To allow exchange or open to passage especially by gasses. |
Moist wound specialty dressings and polyurethane foam dressings which
are vapor permeable. |
| Wound base |
Uppermost viable tissue layer of the wound; may be covered with slough
or eschar. |
The eschar and exudate must be removed to determine with wound base. |
| Wound margin |
Rim or border of the wound. |
Pink epithelial cells can be seen growing from the wound margin. |
| Wound repair |
Healing process,. Partial thickness involves epithelialization; full-thickness
involves contraction granulation, and epithellalization. |
Moist wound specialty dressings promote peak efficient wound repair. |
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