Click here for the Wounds UK Home Page June 2008

Wounds UK Summer Conferences Royal Ascot 2nd July    Mary Jones' MBE achievements celebrated by her peers        Funding Available

Encouraging Audit is a good way to prove the value of services It could be argued that in recent times the NHS has not had it easy, but I think that the phrase 'what doesn't kill you makes you stronger' could be applied to our situation. The coverage of hospital acquired infection and the resultant response from NHS staff has been exemplary. The cleanliness champion concept has also formed a central part of the success of this initiative. The real proof of success for this level of effort will be in the reduction of HAI. For the media, this has to happen next week, but for those working in the NHS, the real success of this initiative will be more gradual but will be long lasting. Central to proving the benefits of such a large scale initiative has been the use of audit to establish the impact of the changes. Staff are now becoming more aware of the importance of audit to provide information on patient outcomes and performance, and while I don't agree with league tables, it can be useful for staff to see improvement in their outcomes over time. One of the key lessons learned from this project has been the level of attention at every level in the service. It has not only been important for those on the ground to make changes but there has also been a change in attitude among the NHS managers, albeit due to the targets which they have to meet in order to avoid investigation. So why am I going on about infection control in a wound care newsletter? For a start it is relevant to everyone regardless of where they work, but more importantly the same attention will soon be paid to patients with wounds and in particular pressure ulcers. With recent government papers reflecting the need to promote patient safety and patient dignity, the development of a pressure ulcer during a care episode will be viewed as potentially preventable. In addition, the health economics of preventing and treating pressure ulcers will come under close scrutiny. There is little doubt that the development of a pressure ulcer is both disturbing for the patient but will also lead to an increased length of stay which results in increased bed days. With payment by results, there will be no extra funding available for patients who develop ulcers and however wrong this reason may be for preventing pressure ulcers, it may result in favourable outcomes for patients. Increasing the focus on pressure ulcers and chronic wounds in general will assist in raising the profile of this specialty and in time we may see an increase in the available resource for the prevention and treatment of chronic wounds. John Timmons Editor

From the Journals      Latest references

Wounds UK Summer Conferences Royal Ascot 2nd July This years Wounds Essentials and Continence Essentials Summer Conference are only a few weeks away. This years Wounds essentials conference has a range of expert speakers who will be discussing a number of key topics including: Common Occurring Skin Conditions, their Diagnosis and Management The Management of Leg Ulcers Pressure Ulcer Management - Is Your Practice Evidence-based? The Impact of MRSA on Wound Healing Which Dressing - An Update and Review of Products Assessing Which Dressing and Why - Supported By Case Studies In addition to Wounds and Continence, Activa Healthcare and Wounds UK will be jointly sponsoring The Chonic Oedema Conference which will also be on the 2nd July. Several leading speakers will be presenting at the Chronic Oedema Conference including Christine Moffatt and Hugo Partsch.. For more information on all these events go to the Wounds UK website. www.wounds-uk.com Keep reading for: Mary Jones' MBE achievements celebrated by her peers Funding Available From the Journals Download this newsletter in PDF format Mary Jones' MBE achievements celebrated by her peers This years' Wounds UK awards held in the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow culminated in Mary Jones receiving the major contribution award for her work in Wales in helping to pioneer larval therapy across the UK. Over 300 people attended the ceremony which was hosted by David Gray, Keith Harding and Hazel Irvine from BBC Sport.   Keep reading for: Funding Available From the Journals Download this newsletter in PDF format Funding Available Download Flyer Established by Herve Le Lous, Chairman of Laboratoires Urgo, this non profit making foundation offers clinicians and researchers the opportunity of funding for the development of a local project which will be of benefit to the wound care community. The annual Prize fund is €25,000 and will be awarded by the UK Board in two subject areas: Clinical and Scientific. Mentorship and support will be available to successful applicants.   Keep reading for: From the Journals Download this newsletter in PDF format   References - From the journals Cutting, K.(2008) Should evidence dictate clinical practice or support it?. JOURNAL OF WOUND CARE VOL 17; NUMB 5 pp. 216-217 Edmonds, M (2008) The Multidisciplinary Diabetic-Foot Clinic. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LOWER EXTREMITY WOUNDS VOL 7; NUMB 2; pp. 66-67 Rerkasem, K.; Kosachunhanun, N.; Tongprasert, S.; Khwanngern, K.; Matanasarawoot, A.; Thongchai, C.; Chimplee, K.; Buranapin, S.; Chaisrisawadisuk, S.; Mangklabruks, A (2008) Reducing Lower Extremity Amputations Due to Diabetes: The Application of Diabetic-Foot Protocol in Chiang Mai University Hospital. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LOWER EXTREMITY WOUNDS VOL 7; NUMB 2: pp. 88-92 Rippon, M.; Davies, P.; White, R.; Bosanquet, N.(2008) Cost implications of using an atraumatic dressing in the treatment of acute wounds. JOURNAL OF WOUND CARE VOL 17; NUMB 5 pp. 224-228 Salles, V.; Saad, S.; Matos, D (2008) Original Research Chronic Wound Infection: Bacterial Colonization in the Dermal Pericolostomic Region WOUNDS VOL 20; NUMB 4; pp. 107-109   Download this newsletter in PDF format