Other Specialist Services - Tissue Viability

• Continence Care
• Diabetic Care
• Health Promotion
• Infection Control
• Pain Management
• Palliative Care
• Respiratory Care
• Tissue Viability

Tissue viability can be described as maintaining the viability of tissue, thus ensuring skin integrity. The Tissue Viability Nurse Specialist will see patients with potential tissue damage, as well as treating and advising on current wounds and the prevention of deterioration of difficult and incurable wounds, including chronic venous (leg) ulceration.

Our service focuses on two areas; enhancement of quality of life for patients suffering from chronic leg ulcers and ensuring the speedy and effective healing of all types of wounds. Patients requiring wound dressings may be referred to the Tissue Viability Nurse by St. John’s Hospital Consultants, Out-Patient Clinics, Day Unit or the Accident & Emergency Department. Patients suffering with chronic venous ulcers may be referred by their G.P.‘s to Mr. Paul Burke, Consultant Vascular Surgeon, who may in turn refer the patient to the Tissue Viability Clinic.

On-going education of patients, hospital staff, student nurses, G.P. Practice Nurses and liaison with Public Health Nurses is an essential part of this service. Student nurses on rotation to Tissue Viability are given the opportunity to spend a full reflective practice day on wound management and learn about the use of Doppler diagnostic equipment and bandaging techniques. An evidence based handout is allocated to each student. The Tissue Viability Nurse also works in conjunction with the Vascular Research Department of the Mid West Regional Hospital and the University of Limerick on various studies, including monitoring the mobility of patients with venous leg ulceration and using data from the study to enhance and improve patient quality of life. G.P. Practice Nurses and Public Health Nurses are welcome to contact the Tissue Viability Clinic for advice, recommendations and on-going training and support.