Clinical Update TEN TOP TIPS Taking high-quality digital images of wounds


Ten Top Tips... Taking high-quality digital images of wounds


words." This adage was used in a newspaper article in 1911.[1]


"U


Author: Beth Sperring


The statement is


also applicable in wound care, as an image allows for assessment and mapping of a wound.


Clinical images


Author: Ralph Baker


potentially enhance the assessment of the patient, their wound and their environment.[2] When providing care at a distance, via telehealth or telemedicine, wound images are frequently taken to assist in diagnosis and treatment of the


patient. These photos are often taken by unskilled photographers, including nurses, relatives, or even the patient themselves. The quality of images will vary, but the aim is always to use the images in association with the patient's wound and medical history; using written descriptions to evaluate the wound, plan treatment options and monitor progress.[3,4] Attention should always be on the patient,


ensuring that they are well informed, comfortable and aware of the processes.[5 Privacy must be maintained.[6] Managing wound images and patient


information involves issues of consent, confidentiality, privacy and security.[7]


Images


in this article are used with the written permission of the patient. Addressing these issues involves all health services and professionals. Secured messaging systems must be used when sharing images and the healthcare professional should be aware of, and ensure compliance with, policies, regulations, and acts that govern practice.[8,9] This article provides 10 top tips for the unskilled photographer[10,11]


with the aim


se a picture. It's worth a thousand


of helping to produce clear, crisp images of wounds that will be clinically informative.


1


USE A DIGITAL CAMERA OWNED BY YOUR PLACE OF WORK


The camera should have the following specifications: • Simple to use – "point and shoot" • SD memory card – at least 4GB, two cards will ensure sufficient memory


• Macro function (identified by the flower icon; Figure 1) – switches the camera into a close focus mode. This feature is present on most compact digital cameras


Figure 1. Macro function – identified by the flower icon highlighted here – switches the camera into a close- focus mode, allowing more detailed images of the wound to be taken.


not "auto" or "off" [Figure 2].


2 3


Author details Beth Sperring is Acting Clinical Nurse Consultant, Plastic Surgery Telehealth Service and Ralph Baker is Coordinator of Medical Illustration. Both are based at the Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.


Figure 2. The flash function should be set to "auto". Wounds International Vol 5 | Issue 1 | ©Wounds International 2014 | www.woundsinternational.com 7


SET THE TIME AND DATE ON THE CAMERA


This is important as the camera records the date of an image, which is the date shown in any database system used to store images.


GET THE LIGHT RIGHT Ensure the camera flash is set to "on"–


Ten Top Tips


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