2026 - Patch & Bandage

Close-up of intact, healthy peristomal skin around a stoma with an ostomy pouch properly fitted on the abdomen.

Normal Peristomal Skin Assessment Findings: What Healthy Skin Should Look Like

by ann August 2, 2026August 2, 2026

Normal peristomal skin should appear intact, dry, and match the color and texture of surrounding abdominal skin, with no redness, swelling, moisture damage, or visible breakdown at the stoma-skin junction. This baseline finding represents the gold standard for ostomy care and serves as the critical reference point against which all subsequent assessments are measured. Healthcare professionals and ostomy nurses rely on accurate recognition of these normal characteristics to detect subtle changes that may signal complications requiring intervention.
Peristomal skin assessment forms …

Gloved clinician hands holding a sterile swab over a cleaned wound dressing area in a clinical setting, with antiseptic gauze and swab materials nearby.

Wound Care Product Guides WOUNDS TIPS

How to Perform a Swab Wound Culture: Correct Technique and Best Practices

by annUpdated on August 12, 2026July 20, 2026

Collecting a wound swab culture requires sterile technique, proper timing, and precise collection from viable tissue to accurately identify pathogens and guide antibiotic therapy. The procedure takes approximately five minutes and involves cleaning the wound, selecting tissue from the wound bed rather than surface debris or necrotic material, and using a sterile swab in a rotating motion to capture adequate microbial samples. When performed correctly, this diagnostic tool helps clinicians differentiate between contamination, colonization, and true infection, reducing inappropriate antibiotic use and improving patient outcomes.
…

Diverse clinicians working together in a wound-care setting with sterile dressing and assessment supplies, illustrating leadership and teamwork in patient care.

BLOG Wound Care Product Guides WOUNDS TIPS

Leadership Insights That Transform Wound Care Practice

by annUpdated on August 12, 2026June 27, 2026

Leadership insights transform wound care practice by translating the collective wisdom of experienced clinicians into actionable strategies that improve patient outcomes, streamline care delivery, and elevate professional competence. Healthcare professionals who apply these proven principles see measurable improvements in healing rates, reduced complications, and more confident clinical decision-making across diverse patient populations.
The wound care field advances through the shared knowledge of professionals who have navigated complex cases, implemented evidence-based protocols, and refined their approach through years of hands-…