Click here for the Wounds UK Home Page June 2009

New Tissue Viability website   Medihoney antibacterial dressings

Diabetic foot complications are the most common cause of amputation in the UK, and some of these can be prevented. This week FDUK and Diabetes UK will be launching a new inpatient guideline for the care of patients with diabetic foot emergency. The guideline is designed to encourage a continuity of approach to the care of this patient group. It would appear that patients with foot ulceration with infection in the acute phase may not receive optimal care following admission to hospital. Depending on the availability of local expertise, patients may not be dealt with by specialist medical staff. The guideline is based on management of immediate care, within the first four hours of admission, second phase care form 4-48 hours and continuing specialist care. This includes assessment, early interventions and the next stages of management such as surgery and management of limb ischaemia. In addition, the document highlights the need to prevent acute foot problems when the patient is admitted for other reasons. The guideline also recommends that trusts have an identified specialist team for care of the diabetic foot, and that the patient should be referred to this team within one working day of admission. The pack which is being launched this week includes the main guideline, a care pathway and a 'red card' for the patient to carry, which details good foot care and when to seek help and advice. For more information download this poster For top tips click here And to view the "Putting feet first" report click here John Timmons Editor

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Keep reading for: NHS Scotland Launches Tissue Viability Website Medihoney on UK Drug Tariff Useful References Download this newsletter in PDF format   NHS Scotland Launches Tissue Viability Website This website gives easy access to practical tools, advice and educational support. Developed as part of an integrated programme sponsored by the Scottish Government, this new resource will help you and your team work more effectively. Together we can improve care and prevent pressure ulcers in Scotland   Keep reading for: Medihoney on UK Drug Tariff Useful References Download this newsletter in PDF format   Medihoney™ Antibacterial Honey Tulle Dressings on UK Drug Tariff Medihoney™ Antibacterial Honey Tulle Dressing is a sterile, non-adherent, non-absorbent wound dressing comprising of a strong woven dressing impregnated with Medihoney™ Antibacterial Honey. Medihoney™ Antibacterial Honey is a standardised medical grade of antibacterial honey collected predominantly from Leptospermum sp. (including Manuka). This combination of Leptospermum honeys has been put together using advanced scientific knowledge to maximise honey's potential to heal. Available on Drug Tariff from 1st June 2009. Medihoney™ Antibacterial Honey Tulle Dressing is for use on acute and chronic wounds. Its effects include: Assisting wound healing (providing a moist wound healing environment) Protecting the wound by creating an antibacterial barrier against bacteria including antibiotic resistant strains Fast, effective autolytic debridement to clean the wound, removing slough and debris. Rapidly removing malodour Reducing the risk of infection from bacteria Medihoney™ Antibacterial Honey Tulle Dressing is suitable for use under compression dressings. Comvita Medihoney™ wound dressings were found in recent large randomised controlled clinical trials to improve healing rates by up to 30%¹ compared with standard therapy and also to have the ability to significantly lower surface pH when used topically2. In addition, a Journal of Wound Care paper3 concluded that Leptospermum sp. (Manuka) honey supplied by Comvita was effective in eradicating MRSA from 70% of chronic venous ulcers. For more information on Medihoney visit www.medihoney.com Keep reading for: Useful References Download this newsletter in PDF format   References Andriessen, A.E.; Polignano, R.; Abel, M. (2009) Development and Implementation of a Clinical Pathway To Improve Venous Leg Ulcer Treatment. WOUNDS VOL 21; NUMB 5 pp. 127-133 Fredriksson, C.; Kratz, G.; Huss, F. (2009) Accumulation of Silver and Delayed Re-epithelialization in Normal Human Skin: An ex-vivo Study of Different Silver Dressings. WOUNDS VOL 21; NUMB 5; pp. 116-123 Gurvich, L.(2009) Synergism in Using Negative Pressure Wound Therapy With Alternated Applications of Autologous Platelet-derived Growth Factors in Treating Post-acute Surgical Wounds. WOUNDS VOL 21; NUMB 5 pp. 134-140   Download this newsletter in PDF format