Month: July 2021

Documentation Of In-Office Imaging

Upon performing reviews of colleagues’ documentation practices, one consistent deficiency I find is the documentation that accompanies in-office imaging, namely X-ray and ultrasound studies. Each payer may have their own guidelines, but most follow the guidelines promulgated by Medicare in the Medicare Benefit Policy Manual, Chapter 15, Section 80.

These guidelines include the requirement of a written order in the medical record for the imaging study. This order must include … read more

The joint EWMA & Journées Cicatrisations Virtual Conference

Leading up to next year’s conference in Paris the EWMA and the SFFPC will hold a Joint EWMA & Journées Cicatrisations VIRTUAL Conference on 26-27 October 2021.

With both the Virtual Conference in the autumn and the Conference in Paris in 2022, we can continually bring high-level scientific education to the wound care community and facilitate the knowledge sharing that will ultimately benefit patients around the world … read more

SkinTE® Met Primary and Secondary Endpoints in Final Analysis from Diabetic Foot Ulcer Trial

SALT LAKE CITY–(BUSINESS WIRE)–PolarityTE, Inc. (Nasdaq: PTE) today announced final data from a multi-center randomized controlled trial evaluating treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFU) with its investigational product SkinTE® plus standard of care (SOC) vs SOC alone (NCT03881254). The trial met the primary endpoint of wound closure at 12 weeks and secondary endpoint of Percent Area Reduction (PAR) assessed at 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 weeks. 100 participants were evaluated across 13 sites with 50 participants receiving SkinTE plus SOC and 50 receiving SOC alone. PolarityTE is pleased to announce today the final analysis of the full data set, which includes:

  • Primary Endpoint: 70% (35/50) of participants receiving SkinTE plus SOC had wound closure at 12 weeks versus 34% (17/50) of participants receiving SOC alone (p=0.00032)
  • Secondary Endpoint: Percent Area Reduction (PAR) assessed at 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 weeks was significantly greater for the SkinTE plus SOC treatment group vs SOC alone (p=0.009)
  • 90% (45/50) of SkinTE plus SOC treated participants received a single application of SkinTE
  • Treatment with SkinTE plus SOC increased the odds of wound closure by 5.37 times versus SOC (p=0.001)

Mean (SD) values for PAR at weeks 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 by treatment group

Week

SkinTE

SOC

4

74.0 (27.63)

22.0 (149.92)

6

82.9 (26.35)

21.2 (160.60)

8

80.7 (35.16)

26.8 (147.42)

10

79.7 (54.07)

45.6 (114.18)

12

84.3 (39.46)

50.5 (92.24)

read more

Inflammatory Biomarkers Levels in T2DM Emirati Patients with Diabetic Neuropathy

Previous studies have suggested the involvement of chronic low‐grade inflammation in the pathogenesis of diabetic neuropathy (DNP). However, none of these studies have examined the levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with confirmed diagnosis of neuropathy. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the levels of MCP-1 along with IL-6, IL-8 and TGF-β in patients with T2DM and confirmed neuropathy and identify correlations, if any, between MCP-1 and other parameters … read more

Novel discovery describes the mechanisms of wound detection in the body

A new study from Vanderbilt University researchers has established a novel way to understand how the body discovers and responds to wounds. The research was led by graduate student James O’Connor and Professor Andrea Page-McCaw in the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, and Shane Hutson, chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy and professor of physics and biological sciences … read more

InsiteOne LLC expands relationship with existing customers and closes successful First Quarter of operation

InsiteOne LLC, the leading provider of offsite cloud enterprise imaging archiving solutions, announces today a successful first quarter of operation that included contracting directly with over 50 NTT DATA customers and several resellers, dealers, and partners. While providing world-class cloud outsourcing services to NTT DATA and their customers is a primary focus, InsiteOne is also transitioning those customers and partners who have elected to continue and/or expand their enterprise imaging archiving footprint with InsiteOne directly — many of whom were original customers/partners of InsiteOne 20 years ago.

Doylestown Health (DH), located in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, re-evaluated its complete enterprise imaging needs in the Spring of 2021. As an existing NTT DATA customer for radiology archiving for the past five years, DH was looking for a partner that could help design and execute on its enterprise imaging and cloud strategy … read more

Pressure Injuries (Pressure Ulcers) and Wound Care

Although the terms decubitus ulcer, pressure sore, and pressure ulcer have often been used interchangeably, the National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel (NPIAP; formerly the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel [NPUAP]) currently considers pressure injury the best term to use, given that open ulceration does not always occur. [1] According to the NPIAP, a pressure injury is localized damage to the skin and underlying soft tissue, usually over a bony prominence or related to a medical or other device. It can present as intact skin or an open ulcer and may be painful. It occurs as a result of intense or prolonged pressure or pressure in combination with shear … read more

Wound Assessment: Think Like a Detective

Comprehensive wound assessment is analogous to a detective processing a crime scene. The scene is secured (patient scheduled for an evaluation); the scene is processed (patient history is established); evidence is collected and identified (tests, measures, special tests and/or diagnostics are performed) and a working theory and report is generated to ascertain what transpired and what next steps need to be taken. This is akin to establishing a differential diagnosis, determining contributing factors and creating a plan of care to manage the wound and the patients’ medical needs … read more

Evaluation of Wound Healing Activity of Methanolic Crude Extract and Solvent Fractions of the Leaves of Vernonia auriculifera Hiern

Medicinal plants play an important role in treating various diseases. Vernonia auriculifera Hiern is one of the medicinal plants used traditionally for the management of wounds. However, there were no scientific reports documented so far on the wound healing activities to substantiate the claim. Thus, the present study provides a scientific evaluation for the wound healing potential of the crude extract as well as solvent fractions of the leaves of Vernonia auriculifera Hiern … –

Skin closure device aids wound care in a variety of knee procedures

On a daily basis, surgeons are faced with different options for wound closure. Traditionally, surgical incision closure involved sutures or metal staples.

The goals of surgical wound closure include enabling the wound to heal rapidly without infection or complication and returning the incisional region to the best level of function and appearance. How effectively health care professionals use their time in the surgical suite and postoperatively can be a determining factor in the selection of a closure modality … read more

‘The Shoe Project’: Empowering Global Communities One Step at a Time

The Boston-based women empowerment media platform, Women Who Win, recently launched a charity program, “The Shoe Project,” in which they provide footwear and health education to underserved global communities. Currently, India has a slum population of over 80 million people, and slum residents have to walk miles every day to find backbreaking and grueling labor. They often work without proper (or any) footwear. Additionally, there is a significant population of women in slums and villages who live and work barefoot.

As a co-founder of Women Who Win, co-founder, and a podiatrist, this inspired the team to provide good quality, podiatrist-approved and weather appropriate shoes to these communities because proper footwear is essential in preventing foot disease, infections, and amputations … read more

Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Reduced Amputation Risk for Patient With Diabetic Wound

A patient with a diabetic foot wound who underwent negative pressure wound therapy experienced good healing, reduced amputation risk, and no wound infection, suggesting the treatment method could be effective in other patients with similar wounds.

A patient who received negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) after undergoing surgical debridement for a diabetic wound saw improvements in healing capabilities and reduced risks of limb amputation, according to a recent case report published in SAGE Open Medical Case Reports.

The report lends further support to previously published research that has shown NPWT to be effective at decreasing healing time, reducing ulcer area, and increasing healing rates of ulcers. NPWT has also been shown to aid patients with foot ulcers in achieving complete ulcer closure better than advanced moist wound therapy … –

WOCTalk LIVE! A Quarterly Membership Discussion

If you’re familiar with WOCTalk, the official podcast of WOCN, and you’re interested in hearing all the latest news from your Community of OpportunityTM, you’ll enjoy our new quarterly, members-only live discussion in this exciting format! Join us on August 11th for a virtual members-only business meeting where you will hear about the state of the WOCN Society and exciting new initiatives that are on the horizon. This virtual event is open and free to WOCN members only and will include Q&A time with the speakers; registration is required … read more

Introduction to the work of IWGDF Guidelines

Every 20 seconds somewhere in the world someone loses a leg due to the complications of diabetes. After such amputations, over half of these people will die within 5 years. At this moment, millions of people with diabetes suffer from poorly healing foot ulcers, which usually develop as a result of several factors. Successfully managing these ulcers, or, even better, preventing them, depends on the close collaboration of various types of health professionals; they must integrate up-to-date care in their specialty into an effective multidisciplinary foot team. The key factors for optimal outcomes are that team members share common goals and follow evidence-based, comprehensive guidelines … read more

High-Intensity Laser Therapy Deemed Effective for Chronic Refractory Wounds, Research Says

High-intensity laser therapy (HILT) combined with wound dressing was superior to conventional wound care, according to a recent study.

High-intensity laser therapy (HILT) is a promising treatment for chronic refractory wounds and should be considered for use with other treatments, according to a study published in BMJ Open.

According to the researchers, HILT does not only reduce wound size. It can also shorten wound healing time, accelerate inflammatory absorption, and increase collagen synthesis and tensile strength. “The therapeutic effects of HILT on chronic refractory wounds are significant and far more superior to those of conventional wound dressing,” the authors said.

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been used on skin wounds … read more

Diabetic foot ulceration: an avoidable complication

At present, more than 380 million people worldwide have diabetes. By 2035, this will rise to 592 million. Some 77% of these people live in low- and middle-income countries.1 In emerging countries, in particular, health-care services are often difficult to access, and finding suitable therapies for diabetes can be challenging. Inadequate treatment of diabetes leads to complications such as diabetic foot syndrome (DFS). For an individual with diabetes, the lifetime risk of developing foot ulcers is at least 15%.2 In western countries, DFS remains the most common reason for hospitalisation of patients with diabetes. In addition, DFS is the major cause of non-traumatic lower limb amputation. This supplement aims to improve understanding of DFS and to present essential aspects of prevention, diagnosis and treatment … read more

Nutritional Supplementation in Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Populations: What Are the Options When Food Is Just Too Expensive?

Appropriately balanced nutrition is a cornerstone of high-quality wound care, and this isn’t a new revelation. Nearly all modern wound centers include some version of nutritional screening, along with ever-expanding recommendations regarding overall protein intake, complex carbohydrate needs, and micronutrient supplementation as clinical evidence for these is presented … read more

PURE PPI SURVEYS – CAN YOU HELP?

Imperial College London are looking to undertake public and patient involvement for PURE (Exercise to Prevent Venous Ulcer Recurrence) and they are asking for your help!

By completing the short surveys you will be helping the team design a new study looking at different ways to manage leg ulcers.

Psychophysiology: Connecting Skin, Wounds, Aging, and Depression

Skin and wound care involves treating the whole person who is wounded, as well as the components of local wound care. Included in the Wound Bed Preparation model, patient-centered concerns are the subject of several articles in this month’s issue.

The original conceptual psychocutaneous disease framework developed by dermatologist-psychoanalyst Dr Caroline Koblenzer1 was further refined by Drs John Koo and Lebwohl2 with three distinct categories … read more

Older Adults More Likely to Develop Chronic Wounds, Research Shows

Older adults are at a higher risk of developing chronic wounds due to complications associated with aging, research published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society showed.

Chronic wounds can be defined as wounds that fail to re-establish anatomic and functional skin integrity over 1–3 months through a timely reparative process. Overlapping descriptions and different wound categories makes understanding the prevalence of chronic wounds difficult, but data published in 2017 revealed that chronic wounds affect 5.7 million Americans and incur annual costs of $20 billion … read more

JWC Masterclass on Electrical Stimulation Webinar

This Masterclass will introduce the concept of electrical stimulation, delivered via the Accel-Heal device, to new markets. Key opinion leaders in wound care will demystify the concept of electrical stimulation, explaining its anti-inflammatory processes in an accessible way.

You will find out how this advanced therapy can be safely and effectively used as adjunct to standard care, to promote healing and reduce pain in recalcitrant wounds.

We will also explain how the device can be incorporated into existing care pathways … read more

Integra LifeSciences Announces Positive Clinical Outcomes for PriMatrix® Dermal Repair Scaffold for the Management of Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation (Nasdaq: IART), a leading global medical technology company, today announced positive clinical outcomes for PriMatrix® Dermal Repair Scaffold for the management of hard to heal diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). This study is one of the largest DFU randomized controlled trials (RCTs) ever completed with more than 100 patients per treatment group and demonstrated that in most cases, one application of PriMatrix plus standard of care (SOC) healed 60% of DFUs in 12 weeks versus 35% of DFUs that healed in 12 weeks with SOC for the per protocol analysis.

This data was recently published by lead investigator, John Lantis, M.D., FACS, from Mount Sinai Health System in New York, in the Journal of Wound Care, the definitive wound-care journal and leading source of up-to-date research and clinical information on everything related to tissue viability … read more

Inexpensive collagen-based dressing could help heal chronic wounds

Currently, many chronic wound dressings incorporate harvested natural biological tissue. Obtaining those tissues from donors – and working them into the material – is typically a very complex process. According to Michigan State University (MSU), this means that such dressings may ultimately cost up to US$1,000 each … Seeking a more affordable alternative, an international team led by MSU’s Asst. Prof. Morteza Mahmoudi has instead looked to collagen, which is the main structural protein in the extracellular matrix of the body’s connective tissues … read more

The legacy of the COVID-19 pandemic and potential impact on persons with wounds

COVID-19 has dramatically disrupted the practice of managing individuals with wounds.1 Care has moved onto virtual platforms, rearranging the logistics and economics of running a successful clinical practice and research, and in some contexts,2 redefining what treatments patients with wounds can receive (eg, debridement). Since the start of the pandemic in early 2020, there has been considerable emphasis placed on the implications for patients with wounds in terms of their vulnerability to the virus and potential exposure in health care settings. Many of these are not surprising since most persons with wounds are in the high-risk age groups for COVID-19 … read more

Kent Imaging Inc. Receives Health Canada Approval on SnapshotNIR v3.0

Kent Imaging has announced Health Canada’s approval for SnapshotNIR V3.0 (KD204) – now available for shipping in both official languages. This upgrade provides significant feature enhancements to the imaging technology that advances tissue assessment in acute and chronic wounds. The multitude of features include the ability to image most skin tones (overcoming the melanin barrier), linear and surface area wound measurements, easy report generation with image comparisons, and enhanced patient file management, to name a few.

“As a firmly Canadian company, we are excited to release this enhanced version of SnapshotNIR into the country. This is another critical step in our goal of delivering effective wound care and surgical solutions to care providers and improving patient outcomes,” says Pierre Lemire, Kent’s CEO. “The updates to SnapshotNIR V3.0 will make it easier and faster than ever to bring critical real-time and point-of-care data to the treatment path.”

SnapshotNIR utilizes near-infrared light to determine tissue oxygen saturation (StO2), which is a key indicator of tissue health. Ideal for microcirculation assessment, it conveys a comprehensive picture of the healing capacity of wounds or surgical tissue. This critical information is used to support clinical judgment in choosing, evaluating, and tracking treatment and surgical options throughout the care continuum … read more

Startup turns smartphone camera to wound care

The rise of smartphone has led to a whole host of healthcare applications, from apps that pull in EKG readings to ones that analyze skin lesions. But relatively few are focused on wound care, which can often linger beneath the surface of other health problems.

Carlo Perez, an engineer who worked in 3-D graphics for AMD, began to focus more on wound care after co-founding Swift Medical. He had initially set out to build a broader telemedicine app using computer vision, but began to realize the full scope of the problem after co-founder Dr. Sheila Wang, a dermatologist, took him to a wound clinic … read more

BURR, BENNET LAUNCH WOUND CARE LEGISLATION

Senators Richard Burr (R-N.C.) and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) have introduced the Better Wound Care at Home Act into the Senate, bipartisan legislation that would update CMS payment rules regarding home-based wound care … The Better Wound Care at Home Act would put disposable items such as disposable negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) devices on par with non-disposable NPWT devices by standardizing the payment methodology nationally … read more

Healiant Training Launches Wound Care Boot Camp Program to Make Wound Care Training and Education Accessible to Everyone

Healiant Training Solutions announces the perfect onramp for anyone seeking to increase their knowledge and competencies in wound care. Whether you are brand new to Wound Care or someone whose been treating wounds for 20 years, the program meets you where you are. Wound Care Boot Camp includes high quality training on basic and advanced topics for individuals and organizations looking to improve their wound care knowledge, and in turn, patient outcomes … High quality wound care education and training can be very expensive, especially the kind of training that leads to accredited clinical credentials and CEs/CMEs. It’s hard to know where to start if you aren’t actively participating in a wound care program. Until now, there has never been a program that meets caregivers and organizations where they are, with the flexibility of starting each person at the appropriate level … read more

Fetal bovine acellular dermal matrix for the closure of diabetic foot ulcers: a prospective randomised controlled trial

The purpose of this clinical trial was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a fetal bovine acellular dermal matrix (FBADM) plus standard of care (SOC) for treating hard-to-heal diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). METHOD: A prospective, multi-centre, randomised controlled trial was carried out. The study included a 2-week run-in period, a 12-week treatment phase and a 4-week follow-up phase. The primary endpoint was complete wound closure at 12 weeks … read more

The role of non-medicated dressings for the management of wound infection

There is growing concern regarding the treatment of infection, caused by the rise of antimicrobial resistance. This position document looks at current treatment approaches to identifying and treating biofilm in wounds, focusing on the mechanism of action and role of non-medicated wound dressings (NMWDs) within antimicrobial stewardship practices and evidence that supports their effectiveness … Download

Call for abstracts. Wounds UK, Harrogate 2021

Wounds UK are pleased to announce the call for abstracts for the 2021 Wounds UK Annual Conference, held at the Harrogate Convention Centre, which will be held on 8-10 November 2021 at the Harrogate International Centre.

To submit your abstract use the following link:  https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/WUKH21

Poster presentations will be presented on electronic poster displays only, no hard copy posters will be on display.
Entries for the e-poster exhibition require you to submit an abstract. Every entry received will automatically be considered for the Wounds UK Award for Excellence 2021.

When A Chronic, Painful Wound Is Actually Pyoderma Gangrenosum

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare inflammatory skin condition that is difficult to diagnose. Currently, it is a “diagnosis of exclusion.”1 Presentation of a patient with a red, hot, swollen foot, ankle or leg is not uncommon for the foot and ankle provider, however, misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis are common in cases of PG. In a retrospective study, 39 percent of patients who initially received a diagnosis of PG were ultimately found to have a prior alternate diagnosis … read more

Multiple Interventions for Diabetic Foot Ulcer Treatment (MIDFUT) trial: benefits of involvement for patients and clinicians

Pragmatic diabetic foot ulcer research is key to enhancing clinical expertise and efficiency, patient experience and improved wound healing. Delivery of novel adjuvant therapies in a clinic setting can be challenging, both at clinical and organisational levels. There are many benefits to patients and clinicians from being involved in research. The aim of this article is to present the Multiple Interventions for Diabetic Foot Ulcer Treatment (MIDFUT) trial, describe its purpose, the project implementation and how it is overcoming the challenges of delivering novel therapies in a clinic setting, and the potential benefits to patients and staff … read more

Multicentre clinical trial to explore efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen for preventing ICU admission, morbidity and mortality in adult patients with COVID-19

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 may cause severe pneumonitis and trigger a massive inflammatory response that requires ventilatory support. The intensive care unit (ICU)-mortality has been reported to be as high as 62%. Dexamethasone is the only of all anti-inflammatory drugs that have been tested to date that has shown a positive effect on mortality. We aim to explore if treatment with hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) is safe and effective for patients with severe COVID-19. Our hypothesis is that HBO can prevent ICU admission, morbidity and mortality by attenuating the inflammatory response. The primary objective is to evaluate if HBO reduces the number of ICU admissions compared with best practice treatment for COVID-19, main secondary objectives are to evaluate if HBO reduces the load on ICU resources, morbidity and mortality and to evaluate if HBO mitigates the inflammatory reaction in COVID-19 … –

Wound Care: Wearable Sensors and Systems for Wound Healing-Related pHand Temperature Detection

Wound healing is a delicate tissue regeneration procedure that entails numerous changes in various physiological parameters.

FREMONT, CA: Wearable sensors and systems refer to devices that can detect minute amounts of biological or chemical analytes and convert chemical reactions or physical changes into usable signals (optical or electrical signals, for example) following predefined rules. Wearable sensors/systems for monitoring markers in or around the wound environment can provide real-time symptom information and hold promise for therapy studies, which also meets the World Union of Wound Healing Societies’ requirement that “diagnostic tools be moved into the clinic or patient’s home to ensure optimal care is provided for patients with wounds.” Researchers have developed various wearable sensors/systems based on optical (fluorescence, colorimetry, etc.) or electrical (impedance, potentiometry, amperometry, etc.) mechanisms integrated with conventional wound dressings to form innovative wound dressings. These smart wound dressings convert changes in these biomarkers into visual or electrical signals, allowing for real-time monitoring of wound healing … read more

Nursing Skill Check: Wound Care Dressing Change

“Wound Care Dressing Change with Irrigation and Packing: Before beginning this procedure always perform the following steps to ensure patient safety. Perform hand hygiene, provide patient privacy, introduce yourself, use two patient identifiers, verify allergy status, perform environmental safety check, ensure proper body mechanics, gather all supplies, provide patient education. Assess the patient’s condition, including the dressing and wound, as well as the pain level. If needed, medicate with analgesic 30 minutes before procedure, if medication is to be given P O or IV. Explain the procedure to patient.

3M V.A.C.® Therapy vs Other NPWT: Understand What a Recent Large-Scale Economic Analysis Tells Us About Costs

When selecting an NPWT provider, it’s important to understand the costs associated with this decision, in addition to the clinical evidence.

In this webinar, you will hear from the author of a recent large-scale retrospective financial analysis titled, “Comparison of Healthcare Costs Associated With Patients Receiving Traditional Negative Pressure Wound Therapies in the Post-Acute Setting.”

The participants in this webinar will:

  • Learn some of the latest real-world data comparing 3M V.A.C.® therapy with other NPWT, including a comparison of
    • Total costs to treat
    • Wound-related costs
    • Average length of therapy

View webinar start time in your timezone

Innovation Technology in Pressure Injury Prevention – PODCAST

Hospital acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs) represent a significant source of morbidity, mortality, and cost burden. In this podcast, Laura Swoboda, DNP, APNP, FNP-C, CWOCN-AP, discusses a new, innovative technology called Leaf, the wearable patient monitoring device for pressure injury prevention …. listen

Wound Bed Preparation Best Practices: Optimizing the Wound For Closure

Wound bed preparation is an important component of wound management. Gaps in knowledge of how and why to prepare a wound bed properly for conventional or advanced wound care modalities may delay or impede healing outcomes. This presentation will describe how to prepare a wound bed properly to allow for optimal healing. It will define the term “wound bed preparation” and how it can aid in the management of tissue necrosis and maintain a proper bioburden balance of the wound’s environment. The concept of “TIME” will be used to evaluate a wound’s readiness to progress into the healing phases. The healing phases of hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and maturation will be reviewed, and the focus of each phase when preparing the wound bed for treatment will also be discussed. The presentation will conclude by outlining methods of preparing a wound bed for conventional or advanced treatment modalities, including “BEAMS” debridement methods, conventional and advanced dressings, cellular products, and wound vacuum application … Register Now

Watch Jenny Hurlow’s Report on the Treatment Plan (57-year-old woman who presented with a suspected insect bite)

My goal of care with this six‑week‑old wound on this very anxious patient was to support healing while limiting aggressive debridement to try to mitigate her anxiety. Therefore, the wound hygiene protocol was initiated … I first cleanse the full wound area, including the peri-ulcer skin, with a noncytotoxic antiseptic wound cleanser. Then, I sharply debrided that hard, a sharp cap that you see, and dry fatty necrosis as tolerated by the patient … Then, I refashion the rolled wound edges by abrading the epidermis to promote flattening of the epiboly. Then, I ordered daily dressing changes within an enzymatic debrider … The wound hygiene treatment protocol promotes attention to all aspects of a wound’s healing … read more

DECELLULARISED DERMIS ALLOGRAFT FOR THE TREATMENT OF CHRONIC VENOUS LEG ULCERATION STUDY – RECRUITING ADDITIONAL SITES

Imperial College London are conducting the DAVE study, an RCT to determine whether the use of a decellularised dermis (DCD) allograft in addition to compression therapy, promotes healing in chronic venous leg ulceration compared to compression therapy alone. Participants will be randomised to either compression therapy alone or DCD in addition to compression. Click here to read the study summary for more information.

The study, led by Professor Alun Davies, is being conducted across a number of secondary care sites in the UK. As study recruitment has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the team are now looking to identify additional secondary care sites to recruit to this NIHR portfolio study. Owing to the impact of COVID-19, the team fully understand that potential sites may not be able to proceed with set-up until the latter part of 2021 and are happy to commence discussions in the meantime.

For more information and to find out how you can be part of this important collaboration, please contact Francine Heatley (Trial Manager) at  f.heatley@imperial.ac.uk

Refractory Wounds: Systemic Factors Affecting Repair – Iatrogenic Factors (Part 3 of 4)

Refractory wounds are a significant worldwide health problem, affecting 5 to 7 million people per year in the United States alone, as discussed in previous blogs (Part 1, Part 2). Wounds that fail to heal not only impact quality of life, but also impose a significant physical, psychosocial, and financial burden. Additionally, individuals with refractory wounds often experience significant morbidity, and sometimes mortality. Wound infections and amputations are common in this population, and chronic conditions often exist as well … read more

Timolol may be inexpensive, effective wound treatment

Timolol may be an effective and inexpensive treatment for wound healing, according to a poster presented at AAD VMX 2021 … “Timolol may function at multiple levels to enhance wound healing, including through increased angiogenesis, fibroblast function and reepithelization,” Angelina S. Hwang, BS, of Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, and colleagues wrote … The single-center retrospective study included 33 patients with a mean age of 68.8 years whose wounds were treated with timolol, a beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist. Treatment occurred in the department of dermatology at Mayo Clinic Arizona between January 2014 and November 201 … read more

A Preliminary Exploration of the Efficacy of Gentamicin Sponges in the Prevention and Treatment of Wound Infections

Gentamicin sponges, implantable topical antibiotic agents, are approved for surgical implantation in 54 countries. Since 1985, more than one million patients have been treated with these sponges.1–3 However, despite having been studied for over 30 years, their effectiveness is still disputed … Han et al have found that applying gentamicin-impregnated sponges during spinal operations significantly decreases surgical-site infection (SSI).4 Chang et al have conducted a meta-analysis encompassing 15 randomized control trials and also concluded that gentamicin sponges decrease the rate of SSI.5 Schimmer et al have used a controlled, prospective, randomized double-blind study to investigate the efficacy of gentamicin sponges in sternal wound complications after heart surgery. They enrolled 720 patients and found that gentamicin sponges effectively reduce infection complications … However, several other studies have demonstrated that gentamicin-impregnated sponges cannot reduce SSI, and some researchers have even proposed that the sponges increase the risk of infection. Wouthuyzen-Bakker et al have discussed the efficacy of applying gentamicin-impregnated sponges locally during debridement in early acute periprosthetic joint infections. They found that their application does not reduce the incidence … read more

Why We Depend on One Another in Wound Care

July means different things to different people for different reasons. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the month of July represented the first real month of summer. It signaled the end of the school year, and it was time to have fun. After college graduation, the first day of July for medical students correlates with the first day of medical school classes, and for senior medical students, the beginning of most medical residency programs. This first day of summer can be wrought with both excitement and fear … Prior to starting medical school, I spent the month of June shadowing an emergency room physician at the Pennsylvania State University School of Medicine at the Hershey Medical Center … read more

Usefulness of Procalcitonin in Diagnosing Diabetic Foot Osteomyelitis: A Pilot Study

Infected diabetic foot is the leading cause of hospital admissions for people with diabetes mellitus. Diabetic foot osteomyelitis (DFO) causes high morbidity and significant mortality. Current diagnostic tests for DFO are either expensive, invasive, or of low diagnostic yield. Objective. The objective of the study was to determine whether serum levels of procalcitonin (PCT), an inflammatory marker, differ between DFO and diabetic foot ulcers without osteomyelitis (ie, cellulitis) as controls. The authors also aimed to assess the usefulness of PCT in diagnosing DFO. Methods. A case-control study was designed comparing DFO with diabetic foot cellulitis as the control. Patients were classified as having osteomyelitis and cellulitis based on the International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot diagnostic criteria. Serum inflammatory markers PCT, adiponectin, C-reactive protein-1, osteoprotegerin (OPG), osteopontin (OPN), and interleukin … read more

The Predictive Value of Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio and Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio Levels of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

As defective insulin secretion or impaired biological function, chronic hyperglycemia can cause damage to various tissues and systems, especially eyes, kidneys, blood vessels and nerves.1 Most diabetes patients can be divided into two types. Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), due to the absolute lack of insulin secretion, can usually be identified by serological evidence and genetic markers of islet autoimmunity. Abnormal inflammation and immune responses are associated with the development of T1DM. Recent study have shown that innate immunity and inflammatory mediators play an important and wide-ranging roles, possibly inhibiting β-cell function,2 promoting subsequent apoptotic processes, and leading to insulin resistance in surrounding tissues … read more

New Study Demonstrates Significantly Increased Healing Rates with NATROX® Oxygen Wound Therapy

Inotec sponsored the study to investigate the impact of NATROX® on previously non healing DFUs. Held across 19 sites in the USA, the trial involved 145 patients with 54% over age 65. The study’s Principal Investigator, Dr. Thomas Serena, is an internationally recognized expert in wound healing. Dr. Serena is former President of the American Professional Wound Care Association and currently CEO of the SerenaGroup®, a leading provider of wound care. Eligible patients had a chronic wound for an average of 23-24 weeks before entering the 12-week therapy period, and over half the participants in the NATROX® group had a history of prior amputation. It is worth noting, the study continuing despite new COVID-19 protocols indicates the ease and simplicity of treatment … read more

High Levels of Oxidative Stress and Skin Microbiome are Critical for Initiation and Development of Chronic Wounds in Diabetic Mice

A balanced redox state is critical for proper healing. Although human chronic wounds are characterized by high levels of oxidative stress (OS), whether OS levels are critical for chronic wound development is not known. For these studies, we used our chronic wound model in diabetic mice that has similar characteristics as human chronic wounds, including naturally developed biofilm. We hypothesize that OS levels in wound tissues are critical for chronic wound initiation and development. We show that increased OS levels in the wound correlate with increased chronicity. Moreover, without increased OS levels, biofilm taken from chronic wounds and placed in new excision wounds do not create chronic wounds. Similarly, high OS levels in the wound tissue in the absence of the skin microbiome do not lead to chronic wounds. These findings show that both high OS levels and bacteria are needed for chronic wound initiation and development … read more

Bromelain-based enzymatic debridement of chronic wounds: Results of a multicentre randomized controlled trial

Chronic wounds are estimated to affect over 6 million people annually in the United States with an estimated annual cost of $25 billion. Debridement represents a key step in their management and is considered a basic necessity to induce the functional process of tissue repair. However, there is an unmet need for an efficient rapid acting non-surgical debridement agent. Bromelain-based enzymatic debridement has been proven to provide an effective, selective and safe non-surgical debridement in deep burns. EscharEx (MediWound Ltd, Yavne, Israel), is a bromelain-based enzymatic debridement agent currently in development for chronic wounds. The aim of this study was to assess its safety and efficacy in chronic wounds. Seventy-three patients suffering from a lower extremity ulcer of diabetic/venous insufficiency/post-surgical/traumatic aetiology were enrolled in a multicentre … read more

NEW! APWCA/ASWC WEBCAST SERIES RELEASED

In the first webcast, Elizabeth Faust, MSN, CRNP, CSWS, CWOCN-AP, DAPWCA, of the American Professional Wound Care Association interviews three leaders of the World Council of Enterostomal Therapists (WCET) on their recent article about the International Ostomy Guideline 2020. The discussion includes the inception of the guideline, the extensive work that went into creating a guideline suitable for resource-limited and resource-abundant countries, key takeaways for various members of the healthcare team, and the importance of preoperative education and stoma site marking. Be sure to watch all the way to the end for a big announcement from the WCET.

EB-101 Healed Wounds, Eased Pain Up to Six Years in Trial

Treatment with Abeona Therapeutics‘‘ investigational cell therapy EB-101 led to successful wound healing and eased pain in seven adults with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) who were followed for up to six years in a clinical trial … “The updated Phase 1/2a results showed safety and durable efficacy follow up, with EB-101 treated wounds continuing to show a considerable reduction in both wound burden and associated long-term pain for up to six years,” Vishwas Seshadri, PhD, head of research and clinical development at Abeona, said in a press release.

Wearable Sensor Measures Light Emission on Skin to Monitor Tissue Oxygenation

Researchers have combined an oxygen-sensing film and machine learning to create a wearable sensor capable of measuring tissue oxygenation through a person’s skin. Developed by researchers at the Wellman Center for Photomedicine at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, the sensor works by detecting the phosphorescence lifetime and intensity of the acrylic oxygen-sensing film that adheres to the skin … The researchers said that the wireless sensor can monitor oxygen levels on a continuous basis and is easy to operate, making it suitable for remotely monitoring oxygen levels outside of health care settings … –

Essity joins United Nations Foundation expert group in tackling antimicrobial resistance

Hygiene and health company Essity expands its partnership with United Nations (UN) Foundation by joining a cross-industry group that brings together corporate experts in the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Essity is a global provider of hand hygiene and wound care solutions, essentials in the fight against antimicrobial resistance, one of the greatest global public health threats predicted to be responsible for 10 million annual deaths worldwide by 20501. Essity has been a partner to the United Nations Foundation since 2017 … read more

Abeona Therapeutics Announces Updated EB-101 Phase 1/2a Clinical Results in Recessive …

Abeona Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: ABEO), a fully-integrated leader in gene and cell therapy, today announced updated Phase 1/2a clinical trial results up to six years following treatment with Abeona’s investigational EB-101 for recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB). The data showed that investigator assessment of wound healing of 50% or greater from baseline was present in 69% of treated wounds (n=18/26) at 3 years, 93% (n=14/15) at 4 years, 80% (n=12/15) at 5 years, and 80% (n=4/5) at 6 years. The results were reported in a poster, titled “Long-Term Healing, Pain Reduction, and Patient-Reported Outcomes in Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa Following EB-101 Treatment of Large, Chronic Wounds,” at the Society for Pediatric Dermatology (SPD) 46th Annual Meeting … read more

Impact of repeated remote ischemic conditioning on diabetic foot ulcers: A proof-of-concept study

Patients with a diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) suffer disabilities and are at increased risk for lower extremity amputation. Current standard of care includes debridement, topical antibiotics, and weight off-loading—still resulting in low rates of healing. Previous small-scale research has indicated that repeated remote ischemic conditioning (rRIC) is a novel modality that delivers significantly higher DFU healing rates. This proof-of-concept study was performed to expand the research on the utility of rRIC as an adjunctive treatment in the healing of chronic DFUs. Forty subjects (41 wounds) received rRIC treatment three times weekly in addition to standard of care for 12 weeks. Subjects that did not heal in this time frame but had a significant reduction in wound size were eligible to continue for an 8-week extension period. By the end of the extension period, 31 of the 41 DFU wounds (75.6%) in this study were determined to be healed. This compares favourably to the 25–30% standard of care average healing rate … read more

Dissemination of microbiota between wounds and the beds of patients with pressure injuries: a cross-sectional study

Pressure injuries (PIs) are localised injuries to the skin and/or underlying tissue caused by sustained pressure1, with a reported prevalence of 9–14.5% in the elder care setting2–4. Although their prevalence is declining due to advances in prevention and treatment5, up to 30% of PIs develop infections, which is a life-threatening complication6–8. Therefore, controlling wound infections is a crucial intervention after the development of PIs … Most patients with PIs are compromised hosts due to old age and malnutrition. Thus, treatment directed at improving the overall condition of the patient (e.g., nutritional support) is provided to treat those with PIs. Additionally, breaking the route of transmission of bacteria by using dressings is recommended … read more

Diabetic foot ulcer, the effect of resource-poor environments on healing time and direct cost: A cohort study during Syrian crisis

This study was intended to assess the healing time of diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) during what is considered one of the worst humanitarian crises of the 21st century. Researchers examined 1,747 DFUs from the main diabetic foot clinic in Damascus (2014-2019). They conducted SINBAD Classification to grade the severity of ulcers. This study’s findings demonstrate that the environment with resource-poor settings should be added to the traditional risk factors that delay the healing of DFUs for months or even years. There is a need for more studies to analyze low-cost materials that could be cost-effective in applying standard care to the diabetic foot … read more

A Novel Method to Offload Neuropathic Ulcers of the Distal Phalanges in the Presence of First Ray Metatarsal Hypermobility

The standard practice to heal neuropathic ulcers on the toes is to offload the affected areas with special types of therapeutic footwear including shoes and boots to reduce the amount of pressure on the wound. Once healed, the individual wears custom insoles to prevent the development of new wounds. In our practice, we found that some newly healed wounds will reulcerate despite wearing therapeutic footwear. We devised a method to prevent and offload neuropathic foot ulcers on the distal phalanges in the presence of first ray metatarsal hypermobility, a common problem associated with the development of wounds … read more

CMS Assigns APC Reimbursement Code for Kent Imaging’s SnapshotNIR® for Non-Invasive Near-Infrared Imaging Services

Kent Imaging Inc., a leading innovator of medical technology, is pleased to announce that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released claims submission guidelines for CPT® Codes 0640T-0642T as referenced in the MLN Matters MM12289 … CPT Codes 0640T-0642T are a family of Category III codes specific to SnapshotNIR for non-contact, near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy studies of flap or wound for image acquisition, interpretation, and reporting. The codes 0640T and 0642T which include a component on image interpretation, have been classified as reimbursable at the discretion of the payor based on medical necessity. The code 0641T, a procedural code for image capture, was assigned to the APC grouper code 5732 for utilization by outpatient facilities … read more

When Should I Perform Point-of-Care Fluorescence Imaging of Wound Bioburden? Guidelines Based on Delphi Consensus

Bacteria and biofilm plague chronic wounds, impair the healing process, and can increase the risk of infection and antibiotic overprescribing. Fluorescence imaging of bacterial burden (MolecuLight i:X) is the only point-of-care solution to visualize the presence of significant bacterial burden in wounds. This information, when added to standard of care, supports informed clinical decision making and more proactive bacterial management practices. This point-of-care imaging technology is quickly becoming a standard in wound care … View webinar start time in your timezone.

EB Affects All Aspects of Daily Life, Patients Say in Interview Study

Ways to improve the quality of life for people with epidermolysis bullosa (EB) are needed, as those living with the disorder report a range of psychological and social impacts … In a series of interviews, a group of children and young adults with EB described their disease as significantly affecting daily life and interactions at school, within the family, and in society at large … Findings are detailed in the study “Psychosocial impact of epidermolysis bullosa on patients: A qualitative study,” published in the journal Pediatric Dermatology … read more

What are the Benefits of Moist Wound Healing?

The process of keeping a wound in an optimally moist environment to aid faster healing is known as moist wound healing. According to studies, the moist wound heals faster than the wounds allowed to dry out … Studies have demonstrated that moist wound healing is more beneficial than treating wounds in a dry environment, and clinical data has backed this up for years. Since a moist environment keeps new skin cells alive and encourages cell renewal, moist wound healing has been demonstrated to enhance re-epithelialization and can result in a reduction of scar formation … In addition, treating wounds in a moist environment looks promising for generating a microenvironment that promotes regenerative healing without the formation of scars. Clinicians frequently choose dressings that establish and regulate a moist wound environment for these reasons … read more

The Role of Physical and Occupational Therapy in Pressure Injury Prevention

Physical and occupational therapists are not always thought of when it comes to pressure injury prevention; however, their training and knowledge makes them key players in the interprofessional team. Pressure injuries are costly medical issues that can impact a patient’s ability to rehabilitate. Therapists need to understand the causes of pressure injuries to help reduce a patient’s risk. Nursing uses risk assessment instruments to identify patients who are risk for developing a pressure injury. Many of the elements that therapists address in an evaluation and daily treatment are those that are also being addressed in the risk assessment instruments. This article provides an overview to help therapists recognize ways to incorporate pressure injury prevention into their evaluation and daily practice and effectively communicate with other health care professionals … read more

Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Management Strategies of Neonatal Wound Care

Guidelines for neonatal skin care are scarce, and there is no consensus on the best management practices for neonatal skin breakdown. This review presents the pathology and phases of wound healing, reasons for neonatal skin fragility, and approaches to recognition of commonly encountered neonatal wounds. This review also provides general strategies for neonatal wound prevention, care, dressing, and management to avoid further damage to the fragile neonatal skin. The importance and role of retaining moisture in expediting wound healing is discussed, as well as updated classifications on how to grade and assess pressure ulcers and the role of negative pressure wound therapy and silver dressings. Lastly, this review discusses prevention and treatment options for surgical wounds, intravenous extravasation wounds, congenital wounds, and thermal injuries, in addition to how to differentiate these wounds from the common diaper dermatitis and contact dermatitis … read more

Thermal Imaging Offers Early Alert for Chronic Wound Care

New research shows thermal imaging techniques can predict whether a wound needs extra management, offering an early alert system to improve chronic wound care … It is estimated that 1-2% of the population will experience a chronic wound during their lifetime in developed countries. In the U.S., chronic wounds affect about 6.5 million patients with more than $25 billion each year spent by the healthcare system on treating related complications … read more

THE COST OF DIABETIC FOOT ULCERS

The annual cost of diabetes is tremendously expensive; according to the American Diabetes Association, it was $245 billion in 2012.1 While nearly $70 billion of this figure was associated with reduced workforce productivity, the remaining $176 billion occurred as excess healthcare expenditures.1 These costs can, in turn, be divided into those associated with treatment of the disease itself, those associated with chronic complications of diabetes, and those native to O&P professional interests: foot ulcers … read more

Lack of access to vascular specialists creates major disparities in amputation rates across the USA

Speaking on current trends in amputation rates with critical limb-threatening ischaemia (CLTI) patients, Misty Humphries (Sacramento, USA) tells Vascular News that while Medicare data shows that amputation rates are decreasing across the USA overall, there are “certain geographical areas” that have high rates, with many of these “located in the south” or in regions that “may not have vascular specialists” … “The disparities that we see in my research I believe are truly access-based,” says Humphries, further drilling down to emphasise health insurance, time and other factors such as appropriate preventive care measures that come into play contributing to the increased risk of amputation … read more

Optimising wound care through patient engagement

Patient engagement is a crucial and timely topic, both in terms of wound healing (and, in some cases, symptom management), and in improving individuals’ experiences of the process. This document aims to provide clear guidance in listening and engaging with individuals, and thus optimising the care experience for all key stakeholders, of which the patient is the most important. The document was developed with input from both healthcare professionals and individuals using healthcare services … read more

The Annual Scientific Meeting (The National) is coming to Denver, July 29–August 1

Get ready to explore new frontiers with APMA in 2021! The Annual Scientific Meeting (The National) is coming to Denver, July 29–August 1. The must-attend meeting for every podiatrist will offer attendees up to 29.5 CECH with a diverse educational program touching on all aspects of foot and ankle surgery and medicine.

At this point in time APMA is closely monitoring the COVID public health crisis and preparing for multiple scenarios. We hope to see our attendees in person for four days of learning and networking. However, given the uncertainty of the situation and recognizing the need to accommodate everyone’s personal level of comfort, we are planning a hybrid event that will allow virtual attendees to concurrently stream the event.

Check out the preliminary program, and watch your APMA publications for more information. Registration for The National is now open.

A Collaborative Call for Changes in Reimbursement Policies for pressure injury

A Collaborative Call for Changes in Reimbursement Policies for pressure injury coauthored by leadership from NPIAP, AAWC and WOCN has been published in the Journal of Patient Safety.

This paper examines reimbursements to improve pressure injury prevention for
CMSGov.

  1. Capitated payment for prevention bundles
  2. Deferred payments for safe discharge
  3. Equal sided risk mode that rewards good performance

Read the full paper here

Advanced Wound Dressings with Integrated Healing Sensors

These antimicrobial, multifunctional dressings include fluorescent sensors that glow brightly when exposed to UV light on the onset of infection and can be used for monitoring the healing process … A research team from RMIT University has developed smart dressings that manipulate the potent antifungal and antibacterial properties of magnesium hydroxide. When compared to silver-based dressing, the smart dressings can be produced cost-effectively but are equally effective in fighting fungi and bacteria, thanks to their antimicrobial power that lasts up to a week … read more

Thermal imaging offers early alert for chronic wound care

New research shows thermal imaging techniques can predict whether a wound needs extra management, offering an early alert system to improve chronic wound care … It is estimated that 1-2% of the population will experience a chronic wound during their lifetime in developed countries – in the US, chronic wounds affect about 6.5 million patients with more than US$25 billion each year spent by the healthcare system on treating related complications … The Australian study shows textural analysis of thermal images of venous leg ulcers (VLUs) can detect whether a wound needs extra management as early as week two for clients receiving treatment at home … read more

When Should I Perform Point-of-Care Fluorescence Imaging of Wound Bioburden? (webinar)

Bacteria and biofilm plague chronic wounds, impair the healing process, and can increase the risk of infection and antibiotic overprescribing. Fluorescence imaging of bacterial burden (MolecuLight i:X) is the only point-of-care solution to visualize the presence of significant bacterial burden in wounds. This information, when added to standard of care, supports informed clinical decision making and more proactive bacterial management practices. This point-of-care imaging technology is quickly becoming a standard in wound care … View webinar start time in your timezone

Pandemic leads to changes in delivery of care for diabetic foot infections

The COVID-19 pandemic led to early disruptions in diabetic foot care during lockdowns, and cases of diabetes-associated foot infections increased after lockdowns were lifted, according to a speaker … Brian Schmidt, DPM, an assistant professor of internal medicine in the division of metabolism, endocrinology and diabetes at the University of Michigan School of Medicine, said during a virtual presentation at the American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions that poor messaging at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic may have kept many patients with diabetic foot conditions from contacting providers about complications, leading to increases in infections after stay-at-home orders were lifted … read more

Next Science Product Featured in Lifetime Channel Program on Treating Chronic Wounds

Next Science (ASX:NXS), an innovative medical technology company and leader in treating biofilm-based infections in humans, today announced new educational broadcast content about chronic infections, which impact 17 million Americans each year. “The Balancing Act,” a lifestyle show that airs on the Lifetime channel, will feature a segment that discusses the costly and debilitating nature of these infections and how physicians can more effectively treat patients suffering from chronic wounds, including diabetic wounds, by using BLASTX, Next Science’s antimicrobial wound gel … In addition to treating diabetic foot and leg ulcers, BLASTX can also be used for stage I-V pressure ulcers, partial- and full-thickness wounds, post-surgical wounds, first and second degree burns, and grafted and donor sites. BLASTX, which uses Next Science’s patented XBIO® Technology, which physically deconstructs the protective shell over the bacterial biofilm matrix, destroys bacteria within the gel and defends from recolonization while maintaining a moist wound environment. BLASTX is non-toxic and lasts up to five days … read more

Decreased Physiological Serum Total Bile Acid Concentrations in Patients with Type 2 Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), one of the most frequent diabetic microvascular complications, is characterized by symmetrical, bilateral distal motor and predominantly sensory abnormality, starting distally and gradually spreading proximally in a glove-and-stocking distribution. It is estimated that DPN would affect approximately 50% in those with over 10 years’ duration.1 DPN has been reported to lead to neuropathic pain, diabetic foot ulcers and lower-limb amputations, all of which contribute to a substantial effect on patient’s quality of life and a significant financial burden. However, other than improving glycemic control, there is no licensed pathogenetic treatment for DPN. Therefore, it would be of great importance if a simple, inexpensive, and reliable indicator is available for the early identification and management of individuals at high risk for DPN in clinical settings, and further effective strategies are formulated to prevent its development and progression … read more

Tips for providing diabetes foot care through telemedicine

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, foot evaluations — including wound debridement, off-loading, radiographs, dressing recommendations and infection control — required in-person visits. With the pandemic closing clinics and canceling hospital services, providers had to explore different ways to continue monitoring people in need of diabetic foot care … At the University of Southern California, providers were forced to make a rapid shift to telemedicine when COVID-19 stay-at-home orders began. In the 6 weeks before the pandemic, all patient contacts for diabetes foot care took place through clinic visits. In the first 6 weeks after COVID-19 lockdowns … read more

Pandemic Underlines Importance of Alternative Support Surfaces in Pressure Wound Care

Hospital Acquired Pressure Injuries (HAPIs) – long a major healthcare problem for hospitalized patients – have the potential to increase with the increasing amount of patients requiring ICU care due to COVID-19. Regardless of primary diagnosis, when immobility, pressure, friction, shear, poor nutrition, and poor profusion plague the hospitalized patient, HAPIs often occur. Each year, more than 2.5 million patients suffer from these injuries, costing the U.S. healthcare system anywhere from $9.1 – 11.6 billion annually … read more

Healogics® Receives Accreditation from American Nurses Credentialing Center

Healogics®, the nation’s leading provider of world-class wound care, is proud to announce its accreditation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) …The ANCC Accreditation Program identifies organizations that exhibit excellence in Nursing Continuing Professional Development (NCPD). In order to be awarded accreditation, rigorous standards must be met for providing continuing professional development to registered nurses. Healogics earned this distinction by promoting excellence in nursing and patient safety, and providing nurses with the knowledge and skills to help improve care and patient outcomes … “We are proud to achieve the highly regarded Accreditation from ANCC,” said Healogics Vice President of Clinical and Quality Process Excellence, Carolyn M. Shinn … Healogics nurses will have the opportunity to participate in the highest level of education to meet certification or licensure requirements, as ANCC-accredited continuing education is the most impressive and viable strategy in improving professional nursing practice … read more