A distinct set of bacteria colonizes the skin in and around wounds in people with dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB), according to a new study … The finding suggests that these patients may benefit from therapies that specifically target those bacteria and that encourage the growth of non wound-associated bacteria instead … The study, “Evidence for cutaneous dysbiosis in dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa,” was published in the journal Clinical and Experimental Dermatology … read more
Category: Articles
Breaking the Barrier: An Innovative Approach to Mature Biofilm
Addressing skin and wound bioburden is of utmost importance to wound care clinicians. The tendency of microorganisms to develop biofilms within a wound has been well documented in the literature. A recent meta-analysis underscored the presence of biofilm in 78.2% of chronic wounds. Biofilms may lead to chronic infection and impact wound healing by perpetuation of the inflammatory phase. Contrasting with free-floating, acutely infectious planktonic microorganisms, a biofilm is an aggregated colony of bacteria, usually of multiple species, that produces a protective EPS and establishes its own microenvironment that is conducive to survival. The biofilm and its surrounding EPS mature over time … read more
Clinical Evidence Outlines the Need for Early Advanced Standard of Care with Real-world Chronic Wound Case Reviews
Principle Investigators, Dr. Pons and Dr. Teichman, discuss a Pooled analysis of 434 wounds at 30 centers that supports the use of PuraPly AM to advance wounds out of the inflammatory phase. Discussions include presentations of real-world case reviews … Click HERE to view.
Factors Associated With Healing of Diabetes-Related Foot Ulcers: Observations From a Large Prospective Real-World Cohort
Diabetes-related foot ulcers (DFUs) affect around 20 million people annually and are a leading cause of the global disability burden (1). DFUs are complex to treat, take months to heal, result in poorer quality of life, and place patients at high risk of hospitalization and amputation. Thus, understanding the influence that different factors have on healing of DFUs is vital … read more
A new approach to understanding the biology of wound healing
Our bodies frequently heal wounds, like a cut or a scrape, on their own. However patients with diabetes, vascular disease, and skin disorders, sometimes have difficulty healing. This can lead to chronic wounds, which can severely impact quality of life. The management of chronic wounds is a major cost to healthcare systems, with the U.S alone spending an estimated 10-20 billion dollars per year. Still, we know very little about why some wounds become chronic, making it hard to develop effective therapeutics to promote healing. New research from Jefferson describes a novel way to sample the cells found at wounds – using discarded wound dressings. This non-invasive approach opens a window into the cellular composition of wounds, and an opportunity to identify characteristics of wounds likely to heal versus those that become chronic, as well as inform the development of targeted therapies … read more
Patient perspectives on the physical, psycho-social, and financial impacts of diabetic foot ulceration and amputation
AIMS: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) and ulceration are complex and lifelong problems for patients with diabetes which dramatically increase mortality rates. This qualitative study sought to capture detailed personal accounts and insights from patients with a clinical history of DFUs and amputations to better understand patient experiences … read more
The Foot & Ankle Treatment Center Joins Illinois Bone & Joint Institute
DES PLAINES, Ill., June 1, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Illinois Bone & Joint Institute (IBJI), the largest independent, physician-owned orthopedic practice in Illinois, welcomes Dr. Bruce Noxon and Dr. Paul Goodman, of The Foot & Ankle Treatment Center, to our practice as of June 1, 2021. Dr. Goodman and Dr. Noxon will continue to provide the same high-quality, affordable care for Glenview and the neighboring communities as they have for the last 22 years, now as part of the expert team of IBJI podiatrists and foot and ankle specialists … read more
AUSTRALIAN WOUND IRRIGATION DEVICE CLEARED BY FDA
On April 23, 2021, the FDA notified the company that its single step application wound irrigation solution, XPERIENCE No Rinse Antimicrobial Solution, has been 510(k) cleared in the U.S. for immediate distribution. The device was originally submitted to the FDA as MIS Solution but is now being marketed as XPERIENCE.
The company says the residual solution remains in the surgical site after closure and, “continues to help defend against pathogens for several hours, giving surgeons a simple and effective adjunct to help prevent surgical site and post-operative infections.” … read more
How Does Your Documentation Measure Up to Medicare Standards? Debridement 101
Information regarding coding, coverage, and payment is provided as a service to our readers. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy. However, HMP and the author do not represent, guarantee, or warranty that coding, coverage, and payment information is error-free and/or that payment will be received.
To our readers: This article is the beginning of a series of articles on proper documentation practices for wound care. In this series, I will discuss different topics in wound care documentation practices that I have seen in my travels and found to be insufficient in light … read more
Decreasing Pain and Increasing the Rate of Chronic Wound Closure With the Use of a Noninvasive Bioelectronic Medical Device: A Case Series
Chronic wounds are a source of significant morbidity. Medical and scientific efforts are ongoing to further therapeutic modalities improving pain scores and augmenting healing while decreasing complications and reducing the social and economic burden of wounds. Electrical current therapy, or electrical stimulation (ES), has been shown to decrease and modulate both acute and chronic pain; however, understanding of the role of ES in wound closure is limited. Objective. This single-center case series reports use of a topical ultrahigh frequency ES (UHF-ES) therapy to decrease wound pain and improve the rate of closure in difficult-to-heal wounds in 9 patients. Materials and Methods. Initially, each patient underwent individualized care of their chronic wounds for a minimum of 8 weeks … read more
MIMEDX to Participate at the Jefferies Virtual Healthcare Conference
ETWebcast: https://wsw.com/webcast/jeff174/mdxg/1854576
A live webcast of the presentation will be available on the Events page of the Investors section of the Company’s website at www.mimedx.com or through the conference site by using the link above. A replay will be available on the Company’s website following the event.
Sensing technology to prevent diabetic foot ulcers
Innovative in-sole sensors will alert diabetic patients during excessive or extended activities that could trigger foot ulcers in a new system being developed at the University of Southampton … The Load Monitoring and Intervention System (LOMIS) processes real-time data from three directional force sensors and detects physical activities over extended periods of time in a five-metric dimensional risk model … Live risk alerts are communicated to patients through a connected App to mitigate the risk and dangers of ulceration and amputation … read more
New wound care best practice consensus document for pharmacy teams
DURING the COVID-19 pandemic, pharmacists have increasingly played a key role as being the first point of contact for people with wounds, both chronic and acute. As the burden of wound care increases through the ageing population and with many people being reluctant to go into the hospital or primary care setting, this key role will continue to develop and grow … Now, a multidisciplinary group of experts, including a team from the University of Huddersfield’s Institute of Skin Integrity and Infection Prevention (ISIaIP), have been working in collaboration with Wounds UK … read more
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for chronic diabetic foot ulcers: An overview of systematic reviews
Researchers assessed clinical evidence of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the management of diabetic foot ulcers, via this overview of systematic reviews. They analyzed systematic reviews (SRs) assessing the impacts of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in individuals with diabetic foot ulcer. Inclusion criteria were fulfilled by 11 SRs/MAs. They found limited clinical evidence in favor of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the management of diabetic foot ulcers, routine application of hyperbaric oxygen therapy to all patients with diabetic foot ulcers, particularly those with non-ischemic diabetic foot ulcers, is not advised. Certain potential of hyperbaric oxygen therapy to promote ulcer healing as well as decrease amputation rate in patients with ischemic diabetic foot ulcers has been observed, but because these results are supported by low quality and small quantity of the SRs/MAs, widespread recommendations require high-quality studies with rigorous … read more
Development and validation of a clinical prediction rule for development of diabetic foot ulceration: an analysis of data from five cohort studies
Development of a CPR using individual participant data from four international cohort studies identified by systematic review, with validation in a fifth study. Development cohorts were from primary and secondary care foot clinics in Europe and the USA (n=8255, adults over 18 years old, with diabetes, ulcer free at recruitment). Using data from monofilament testing, presence/absence of pulses, and participant history of previous ulcer and/or amputation, we developed a simple CPR to predict who will develop a foot ulcer within 2 years of initial assessment and validated it in a fifth study (n=3324). The CPR’s performance was assessed with C-statistics, calibration slopes, calibration-in-the-large, and a net benefit analysis … read more
BD Launches Industry First Ready-to-Use Iodine-Based Surgical Irrigation System
FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J., May 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) (NYSE: BDX), a leading global medical technology company, announced today the availability of BD Surgiphor™ Sterile Wound Irrigation System, the first and only ready-to-use aqueous povidone-iodine (PVP-I) irrigation solution that mechanically loosens and removes wound debris . . . read more
RedDress Selected to Exhibit ActiGraft at Vizient Innovative Technology Exchange
RedDress has been selected to exhibit ActiGraft®, a wound solution that recreates the natural wound healing environment by utilizing the patient’s own blood, at the Vizient Innovative Technology Exchange. Vizient, Inc, the nation’s largest member-driven health care performance improvement company, will hold the Exchange virtually September 21-23, 2021 read more
VIVEX Biologics, Inc. Launches New Family of Allografts, VIAGENEX™
MIAMI, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — VIVEX Biologics, Inc., a leading regenerative medicine company specializing in the development of naturally sourced treatments, announced the launch of VIAGENEX™, a family of amniotic allografts processed to retain the inherent mechanical properties of amniotic tissue and rich supply of extracellular matrix, growth factors, and cytokines read more
Study Of The LimFlow System Demonstrates Sustained Amputation-Free Survival And Wound Healing In Patients With No-Option Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia
Paris, May 20, 2021 — LimFlow SA, a pioneer in the development of minimally-invasive technology for the treatment of chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI), a severe form of peripheral artery disease (PAD), today announced the publication of 12-month data from the full patient cohort in its PROMISE I study of the LimFlow Percutaneous Deep Vein Arterialization System in the Journal of Vascular Surgery. Results showed sustained positive outcomes for both amputation-free survival and wound healing. The minimally-invasive LimFlow System is designed to bypass blocked arteries in the leg and deliver oxygenated blood back into the foot via the veins in CLTI patients who are facing major amputation and have exhausted all other therapeutic options read more
Advanced Oxygen Therapy Inc. Named Among the 10 Most Innovative MedTech Solution Providers to Watch in 2021
(https://thehealthcareinsights.com/advanced-oxygen--inc-dedicated-to-resolving-acute-and-chronic-wounds-through-its-unique-multi-modality-two2therapy/) how AOTI is dedicated to resolving acute and chronic wounds through its patented cyclical-pressure Topical Wound Oxygen (TWO2) therapy. Thereby providing clinically proven complete healing outcomes and wound protective care to high-risk patients safely at home. Maintaining such continuity-of-care has become even more vital during the recent COVID-19 pandemic read more
Advanced Oxygen Therapy Inc. Named Among the 10 Most Innovative MedTech Solution Providers to Watch in 2021
OCEANSIDE, Calif., May 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Advanced Oxygen Therapy Inc. (AOTI) announced today that it had been named among the 10 Most Innovative MedTech Solution Providers to Watch in 2021 by the journal The Healthcare Insights and is highlighted as the cover story of its May 2021 print edition … (https://thehealthcareinsights.com/advanced-oxygen-therapy-inc-dedicated-to-resolving-acute-and-chronic-wounds-through-its-unique-multi-modality-two2therapy/) details how AOTI is dedicated to resolving acute and chronic wounds through its patented cyclical-pressure Topical Wound Oxygen (TWO2) therapy. Thereby providing clinically proven complete healing outcomes and wound protective care to high-risk patients safely at home. Maintaining such continuity-of-care has become even more vital during the recent COVID-19 pandemic read more
A flexible multiplexed immunosensor for point-of-care in situ wound monitoring
Chronic wounds arise from interruption of normal healing due to many potential pathophysiological factors. Monitoring these multivariate factors can provide personalized diagnostic information for wound management, but current sensing technologies use complex laboratory tests or track a limited number of wound parameters. We report a flexible biosensing platform for multiplexed profiling of the wound microenvironment, inflammation, and infection state at the point of care. This platform integrates a sensor array for measuring inflammatory mediators [tumor necrosis factor read more
St. Louis Doctor Helps Patients Avoid Unnecessary Diabetic Amputations Using Minimally Invasive Procedure
ST. LOUIS, May 22, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — The Midwest Institute for Non-Surgical Therapy (MINT) is leading the way in providing early diagnosis and innovative treatments for St. Louis, Missouri, patients who suffer from vascular disease, greatly reducing the need for amputations … read more
Led by Dr. Goke Akinwande, a board-certified endovascular specialist, the Vascular Center at MINT is one of the few centers in St. Louis dedicated to the outpatient treatment of venous and arterial diseases. Since the Center opened in 2019, MINT has become a regional leader in preventing potentially life-threatening amputations among patients who suffer from diabetes. Dr. Akinwande and his team use innovative technology and non-surgical techniques to treat diabetic sores and prevent amputations.
Several prediction tools provide “objective” post-amputation outcome forecasts, but further work is needed
A recent systematic review and narrative synthesis has found several tools that demonstrate “acceptable-to-outstanding discrimination” for predicting key outcomes following major lower limb amputation. However, authors Ryan A Preece (Royal Gwent Hospital, Cardiff, UK) and colleagues note that “additional robust external validation” is needed to strengthen the clinical applicability of the prediction tools assessed. This research appeared online in the European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery (EJVES).
Compliant Coding and Documentation for Ulcer Debridement Members Only Content
On May 16, APMA hosted the third installment of its Total Request Coding Webinar Series, “Compliant Coding and Documentation for Ulcer Debridement.” Jeffrey Lehrman, DPM, presented.
This content is available to APMA members only. If you are a member, please log in
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Can Topical Oxygen Have An Impact On DFU Healing?
Data continue to accumulate for some role of topical oxygen (TOT) in tissue repair and wound healing. A study from Golledge and colleagues in Australia reveals some interesting developments.1 Their systematic review and meta-analysis examined evidence for the benefit of topical oxygen therapy in healing diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) … read more
What to Do When Sharp Debridement is Contraindicated
Sharp debridement is by far the fastest way to remove non-viable tissue from a wound bed. This modality must be performed by a licensed skilled practitioner using sharp instruments or tools to remove unhealthy tissue. It is reimbursed by most payers when documentation and medical necessity support its use. There are times when sharp debridement is contraindicated, however. This blog reviews the contraindications and alternatives to sharp debridement … read more
Topical oxygen therapy in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers: a multicentre, open, randomised controlled clinical trial
Perfusion and blood oxygen levels are frequently insufficient in patients with hard-to-heal wounds due to poor circulation, vascular disruption and vasoconstriction, reducing the wound’s capacity to heal. This study aimed to investigate the effect of topical oxygen on healing rates in patients with hard-to-heal diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) (i.e., non-responsive over four weeks) … read more
Army Wants New Medical Gel that Seals Off Hemorrhaging Wounds on the Battlefield
Army researchers are eyeing a promising new wound-care technology that could allow soldiers to seal hemorrhaging trauma wounds on parts of the body where pressure bandages can’t stop bleeding … The Army Research Laboratory, or ARL, is providing technical oversight on a new hemostatic gel, known as StatBond, that stops uncontrolled bleeding in noncompressible areas of the body such as the groin, armpit, neck and internal organs … read more
An Advanced Antimicrobial Wound Dressing That Works Where Others Fail
It is estimated that every failed attempt at healing a wound costs a facility an average of $170-$681 in materials and labor alone!1 Factor in the increased risks of wound deterioration and patient wellbeing and the need and benefit of healing a wound quickly and effectively becomes readily apparent … read more
Sustainable fabric made from tree bark could cut MRSA infection rates
A traditional Ugandan cloth that uses tree bark to make sustainable textiles could be used to treat skin wounds after new research shows it has antimicrobial properties to fight against tough infections such as MRSA … MRSA—Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus—is an infection caused by bacteria that is resistant to many different antibiotics … continue
PolarityTE Announces Diabetic Foot Ulcer Trial Met Primary and Secondary Endpoint
PolarityTE, Inc. (Nasdaq: PTE) today announced preliminary topline data demonstrating that a multi-center randomized controlled trial evaluating treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcers with SkinTE® plus standard of care (SOC) vs SOC alone (NCT03881254) met the primary endpoint of wound closure at 12 weeks and secondary endpoint of Percent Area Reduction (PAR) at 12 weeks. 100 patients were evaluated across 13 sites with 50 patients receiving SkinTE plus SOC and 50 patients receiving SOC alone … continue
Smart Socks? How This Tech Startup Is Targeting a Common Medical Problem
When Ran Ma told her parents she was dropping out of her master’s program in business administration to work on a sock prototype for diabetic patients, their reaction wasn’t exactly encouraging … “My dad said, ‘We’re not going to talk until you figure out your life,’ ” says Ma. “I don’t think my parents understood what I was doing.” … continue
Virtual triage and outcomes of diabetic foot complications during Covid-19 pandemic: A retro-prospective, observational cohort study
AIMS: Limb and patient outcomes in people with diabetic foot complications including diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) provided virtual triage and personalized video consultations during COVID-19 pandemic are not known … continue
Keys To Addressing Forefoot Plantar Ulcerations
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates one in ten Americans have diabetes and one in three have prediabetes … Diabetes is also increasing among younger populations and can lead to sleep apnea, cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease and risk of cancer … One major complication of diabetes is diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), seen in 50 percent of the geriatric population with diabetes … continue
Could Patients Tap Their Way To Better Health?
When recommending activity regimens to patients, is one style of dancing an “untapped” resource? … A recent study in BMJ Open Diabetes Research and Care examined how tap dance as an activity might affect plantar pressure, postural stability, ankle range of motion and lower extremity functional strength for older patients at risk for diabetic foot complications … This randomized, single-blind, prospective study looked at 40 at-risk patients … continue
Extremity Gangrene Caused by HBV-Related Cryoglobulinemia Vasculitis in a Patient with Diabetes – A Case Report
We presented a case of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related type III cryoglobulinemia vasculitis (CryoVas) characterized by extremity gangrene in a patient with diabetes. The 60-year-old female had a 10-year history of poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus. She complained of sudden onset pain and swelling of toes which quickly progressed to gangrene, with fingers becoming pain and dark violet. The patient was initially misdiagnosed as diabetic foot (DF). Although DF is one of the common chronic complications of diabetes, it rarely involves the hand. What is more, the ischemic manifestations of the extremity were not consistent with the results of the vascular examination and immune system changes. The patient had Raynaud’s phenomenon, arthralgia, and extremity gangrene. Test results showed cryoglobulinemia multiple positive, polyclonal immunoglobulin with rheumatoid factor negative, lower complement 3, leukocytoclastic vasculitis, and HBV infection. HBV-related type III CryoVas was finally diagnosed, and a conservative therapy strategy was given … continue
Net Health Adds Industry Leader Proteus Genomics Lab Testing to Wound Care Platform
PITTSBURGH, April 28, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Net Health, a leading provider of cloud-based software for specialty medical providers, announced today that users of the company’s EHR software solution, Net Health® Wound Care (formerly WoundExpert®), can now place in-chart orders for laboratory services through Proteus Genomics … The agreement is the first Net Health partnership with a laboratory services provider and continues the expansion of in-chart ordering options for clients. The program will initially be launched in April to Net Health customers in the Southeast, including Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Louisiana, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas and Alabama, with plans to expand nationally within the next year … Recognized as a market leader, Proteus Genomics is a highly-specialized genetic and microbiology laboratory facility … continue
T-Natural Killers and Interferon Gamma/Interleukin 4 in Augmentation of Infection in Foot Ulcer in Type 2 Diabetes
Epidemiology studies have shown that diabetes has the highest incidence of any chronic disease worldwide and is a huge threat to human health. Diabetes is clinically divided into types I and II.1 The prevalence of type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) increases with age across all regions and income groups.2 Still, the prevalence is increasing in young age groups due to unhealthy life routines present since childhood … Insulin resistance (IR) associates with T2DM. Diabetes-related foot complications are important causes for disability worldwide. More than one-third of patients with diabetes worldwide will develop diabetic foot ulcer (DFU), which can progress to diabetic foot infection (DFI), and gangrene, consuming most of the healthcare costs dedicated for patients with diabetes. Around 17% of DFI will require amputation. Studies showed that patients with diabetes fear amputation more than death. The DFI patients will demand extensive debridement … continue
Predictive model identifies risk factors for major adverse limb events in diabetes
A risk score may be able to identify adults with type 2 diabetes at high risk for major adverse limb events, including in those without a history of peripheral artery disease, according to a study published in Diabetic Medicine … “This post hoc analysis of the EXSCEL trial yielded a predictive score for major adverse limb events among participants with diabetes that had a C statistic of 0.822, generally considered as very good … … continue
Wound care awareness
One in four families has a member with a chronic wound. For this reason, it is crucial for us as wound care experts to educate patients, caregivers and other health care providers about chronic wounds and advanced wound care treatment options … Nearly 7 million people in the U.S. are living with a chronic wound, and the number is expected to grow over the next decade. A chronic wound can be painful, dangerous and scary for patients and drastically affect people by diminishing their overall quality of life and potentially decreasing life expectancy if left untreated …They are also dangerous and damaging to our health care industry. The cost associated with chronic wounds is more than $50 billion annually, and this affects 14.5% of Medicare beneficiaries each year … continue
Music in the Wound Care Center: Effects on Anxiety Levels and Blood Pressure Measurements in Patients Receiving Standard Care
In the United States, chronic wounds (including venous ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, and pressure ulcers/injuries) affect approximately 8.2 million people as estimated by a 2018 retrospective analysis of Medicare beneficiaries, and treatment costs ranged from $28 billion to $96.8 billion annually.1 These numbers are expected to increase with the growing aging population and higher prevalence rates of chronic diseases, such as diabetes and peripheral artery disease, in older adults.1 Patients with chronic wounds are reported as having poor quality of life associated with chronic pain and odorous exudate.2 The treatment of chronic wounds in the wound care center (WCC) requires wound assessment, minor procedures, and dressing changes. WCCs provide a specialized level of care using various wound care therapies to promote healing.3 Anxiety has been reported during treatment and may lead to increased pain sensation and stress.4 Pharmacological treatment has been a traditional way to alleviate anxiety; however, this can increase the risk of drug dependency and unwanted side effects.5 Nonpharmacological approaches are considered to be more desirable because of fewer side effects and greater cost-efficiency … continue
What Is a Kennedy Terminal Ulcer?
Many questions arise and confusion develops when wound care providers mention Kennedy terminal ulcers (KTUs). Because these wounds are not frequently seen, and because they develop rapidly and observation ends abruptly with the death of the patient, wound care providers may have never observed a KTU, even in a long career in wound care. Although the literature reveals that there is a lack of knowledge regarding the exact cause of a KTU, let’s look at the facts currently known from published resources … continue
May Hope Bloom and Grow
Depending on which part of the world you live in, after a dark winter, May signals the emergence of warmer weather, the birth of wildlife, and the blooming of flowers. In the Southern Hemisphere, the month of May signals the end of warm weather with the promise of cooler temperatures to provide relief. For still others, it marks the beginning of increasingly hot weather. As with so much, our judgments about May change based on our perspective. Our journal is an international journal—and in this issue (print and online) you will find articles from six different countries (Australia, Egypt, India, Korea, Spain, and the US) that address different aspects of skin care and wound healing. The diversity of these international viewpoints can enrich our toolkit for effective practice … continue
Nuo Therapeutics Announces Publication of Final Decision Memo for Autologous Blood Derived Products for Chronic Non-Healing Wounds by Centers for Medicare
HOUSTON, April 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Nuo Therapeutics, Inc. (OTC Pink: AURX) (“Nuo” or the “Company”), today announced the recent publication of the final decision memo for Autologous Blood-Derived Products for Chronic Non-Healing Wounds (CAG-00190R4). On April 13, 2021, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) concluded in its final coverage decision memo (available at the URL at the bottom of this release) that Medicare will cover autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for treatment of chronic non-healing diabetic wounds (DFUs) under section 1862(a)(1)(A) of the Social Security Act. This final decision follows the favorable proposed decision memo which was published December 21, 2020 and followed by a thirty-day public comment period. In its final decision memo, CMS concluded that the coverage for DFUs would be for a duration of 20 weeks and limited to devices whose FDA cleared indications include the management of exuding cutaneous wounds such as DFUs. Coverage of autologous PRP beyond 20 weeks for DFUs and for the treatment of all chronic, non-healing wounds will be determined by local Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) … continue
Reducing Disparities in Diabetic Amputations
Foluso A. Fakorede, MD, a cardiologist in Bolivar County, MS, has used prevention, screening, and treatment strategies to reduce amputations by 88% in the Mississippi Delta area where he practices. Here, Dr. Fakorede discusses risk factors for peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and amputation in patients with diabetes, and how to reduce disparities in diabetic amputations.…
Outpatient Diabetic Foot Ulcer Diagnosis With Positive Wound Culture Linked to Subsequent Hospital Admission
Outpatient diagnosis of a diabetic foot ulcer with a positive wound culture is associated with subsequent hospital admission for systemic infection, according to research results published in Open Forum Infectious Diseases … Researchers conducted an exploratory, retrospective study in order to evaluate the relationship between outpatient diagnosis of an index diabetic foot ulcer and any subsequent admissions for invasive bacterial infection including osteomyelitis, bacteremia, or endocarditis … read more
Q&A: CPT CODING FOR EXCISIONAL WOUND DEBRIDEMENT WITH VAC
Gloria Miller, CPC, CPMA, CPPM, former vice president of reimbursement services at Comprehensive Healthcare Solutions Inc. shares which CPT codes to use.
A version of this article was first published April 23, 2021, by HCPro’s Revenue Cycle Advisor, a sibling publication to HealthLeaders.
Q: What CPT codes and modifiers would be used to report excisional debridement for removal of a 2×4-cm ulcer on a patient’s right buttocks with vacuum-assisted closure (VAC)?
A: The debridement would be reported using CPT code 11042 (debridement, subcutaneous tissue [includes epidermis and dermis, if performed]; first 20 sq cm or less). This procedure involves the sharp removal of nonviable subcutaneous tissue until viable tissue is encountered … read more
Wound healing, infection can be determined by genetics
Texas [US], April 25 (ANI): Researchers from Texas Tech’s Department of Biological Sciences and Natural Science Research Laboratory recently determined that some genes have an association with the pathogens that infect chronic wounds and hinder the healing process … In a first-of-its-kind study, researchers have determined that genetics may play a role in how wounds heal. Caleb Phillips, an assistant professor at Texas Tech University and director of the Phillips Laboratory in the Department of Biological Sciences, and doctoral student Craig Tipton led the study, “Patient genetics is linked to chronic wound microbiome composition and healing,” according to a study published in the open-access, peer-reviewed medical journal PLOS Pathogens.
Phillips, who also serves as Curator of Genetic Resources at the Natural Science Research Laboratory’s (NSRL) Robert J Baker Genetic Resources Collection, said the study determined that certain genes are associated with the number of bacteria and abundance of common pathogens in wounds … read more
Differentiation of Diabetic Foot Ulcers Based on Stimulation of Myogenic Oscillations by Transient Ischemia
Purpose: Diabetic foot ulceration is a chronic complication characterized by impaired wound healing. There is a great demand for a diagnostic tool that is able to monitor and predict wound healing.
Patients and Methods: Oscillations in the microcirculation, known as flowmotion, can be monitored very distinctly and precisely using the Flow Mediated Skin Fluorescence (FMSF) technique. The flowmotion response to hypoxia was measured quantitatively in 42 patients with diabetic foot ulcers.
Results: The flowmotion response to hypoxia parameters FM(R) and HS were used to differentiate the diabetic foot ulcers and correlate them with clinical status. In some cases, FMSF measurements were continued over the period of a year in order to monitor disease progress. The clinical status of the quarter of patients with the highest HS values (group A, HS = 50.2± 18.3) was compared to the quarter with the lowest HS values (group B, HS = 4.3± 1.7). The patients in the group B were identified as having low prognosis for healing and were characterized by higher incidences of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, prevalent CVD, neuropathy and nephropathy.
Conclusion: Impaired flowmotion responses to hypoxia induced by transient ischemia can be used for differentiation of diabetic foot ulcers and identification of cases with low prognosis for healing.
SANUWAVE® Rebrands to Reflect Evolved Wound Care Solutions
“Energy First” Protocol Improves Clinical Outcomes
SUWANEE, Ga.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–SANUWAVE Health, Inc. (OTCQB: SNWV), focused on the development and commercialization of a robust and innovative advanced wound care product portfolio for the repair and regeneration of skin and vascular structures, today announced its rebranding. The new brand reflects the evolution of SANUWAVE’s solutions addressing the entire wound care pathway through its portfolio of noninvasive and biological response therapeutics that help expedite the wound healing process at the cellular level, resulting in less time and resources spent on more costly treatments …. full press release
Review: Prevalence of Pressure Ulcers in Long-Term Care: A Global Review
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iWounds News
Results of two-year study show Zilver Vena Venous Stent is safe and effective The results of a two-year study support the continued safety and effectiveness of the Zilver Vena Venous Stent (Cook Medical) in treating symptomatic iliofemoral venous outflow obstruction, according to findings presented at the 2021 meeting of the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR;…
