The past, the present and the future

Somebody asked me recently how I decide what to write about in the Editorial for BJN's Tissue Viability Supplement. I took a moment to think and gave the briefest of answers. When I reflected on it and really took the time, challenging myself, I concluded that it was a cumulative process of my experience of the past, the present and the future.

Concerning the past, I do think it is important to remember how far we have come. I have been a nurse for 43 years and I have certainly seen momentous change, much of it for the better. The delivery of evidence-based care and the access to such has profoundly changed in the past 4 decades.

I remember using egg white and oxygen on pressure ulcers and ordering the first waterbed. When Judy Waterlow launched her risk assessment tool, I invited her to come to my ward. Well, she came and wow, what a difference she made to us all! Her visit and the use of her scoring system led to real understanding, commitment and engagement by everyone on the ward. The whole ward learning together and being ready to embrace change really did improve our care and our data at the time could prove it.