Click here for the Wounds UK Home Page March 2008

Smith and Nephew/Wounds UK roadshows     Ghecko inspired dressings one to watch         Events

The risk of HAI in patients with chronic wounds such as pressure ulcers and leg ulcers due to infection in the soft tissue has recently been uncovered in a recent audit of HAI in Scotland carried out by HPS (HPS 2007). The guest editorial in this months Wounds UK issue by Dr Jacqui Reilly highlights an alarming trend in the levels of infected wounds in elderly patients. This raises a number issues in relation to staff training, education and in the recording of wound infection. The risk of pressure damage in elderly patients is well recognised and once a pressure ulcer is established there is always a risk of soft tissue infection developing. For other patients for example those with leg ulceration or any open wound, there is always a risk of infection. This risk is compounded by concurrent illness with which the patient will present. The impact of wound infection is deep reaching and in the current climate controversial. For patients and relatives, the diagnosis of wound infection is one which brings added anxiety, pain, increased exudate levels and above all prolonged healing times. Not to mention the risk of spreading sepsis. Staff awareness is essential in order to maintain focus on the risk of infection to not only pressure ulcers but to other sites of skin damage. From admission through the patient journey there is a need for coordinated risk assessment and prevention strategies to be in place. The report also highlights the need for better reporting and documentation of wound infection. Above all there needs to be an education strategy in place for staff at all levels. I have been an advocate for mandatory training in wound care, pressure area care, prevention and management for a number of years, yet there is still a lack of local and national consensus as to how much time is spent educating staff in these issues. Another issue is that of undergraduate education, there is growing pressure on the curricula and often there are topics which may become casualties of this. Tissue viability would not appear to be a priority topic, despite the risk to patients. John Timmons Editor

Papers of Interest      Latest references

Paediatric Wound Care - TIME to re ad 'dress' Download Flyer Date: Tuesday 27th May 2008 Venue: Stirling Management Centre, University of Stirling For more information please contact Angela.Rodgers@ggc.scot.nhs.uk Live Leg Show, Salisbury District Hospital - 22 May 2008 Download Flyer The mysteries of Duplex explained Live angiogram / angioplasty Live laser vein therapy Live venous surgery Lunch and refreshments provided For more information contact Robin Cooper: robin.cooper@salisbury.nhs.uk. 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. Closing date 30th May 2008 Smith and Nephew/Wounds UK roadshows Smith and Nephew in conjunction with Wounds UK have begun a series of roadshows which will reach 40 venues over a six week period. There has been an overwhelming response with over 1500 nurses subscribing for the events so far. The aim is to address the issues which impact on patients who develop wound complications such as infection, pain excess exudate and odour. Some of the leading experts from across the UK are speaking at the events. For more information follow the link below: http://www.wounds-uk.com/roadshows/index.shtml Keep reading for: Ghecko inspired dressings one to watch. Events Papers of interest Download this newsletter in PDF format Ghecko inspired dressings one to watch US researchers have created a dressing which is designed to mimic the way which a ghecko can cling to walls and ceilings. The material is designed to be adherent in wet environments and therefore may be used primarily on internal repairs. There is potential for an external dressing to follow which may be useful for patients with highly exuding wounds where dressing adherence is problematic.   Keep reading for: Events Papers of interest Download this newsletter in PDF format Events WUWHS The previous World Union of Wound Healing Societies Meeting was held in Paris in 2004, and was a huge success. This years' event in Toronto promises to be an incredible occasion. The theme for the conference is One Problem One Voice, and aims to bring together experts from around the world working towards improved patient care. Click on the link below to visit the website. 4 -8 June 2008: World Union of Wound Healing Societies' Meeting 2008 - www.worldunion2008.com The Tissue Viability Society will hold its annual conference on the 2nd and 3rd of April this year. The conference theme is Celebrating Success in Tissue Viability. EWMA Conference Lisbon May 14th -16th Wound Management Wound Healing and Responsibility and Actions Visit EWMA.org for information   Keep reading for: Papers of interest Download this newsletter in PDF format   References - Papers of interest Davis, S.(2008) Animal Models of Wound Healing WOUNDS VOL 20; NUMB 1; pp. 1-2 Flack, S.; Apelqvist, J.; Keith, M.; Trueman, P.; Williams, D (2008) An economic evaluation ofVAC therapy compared with wound dressings in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. JOURNAL OF WOUND CARE VOL 17; NUMB 2; pp. 71-85 Laurinaviciene, R.; Kirketerp-Moeller, K.; Holstein, P.E. (2008) Exostectomy for chronic midfoot plantar ulcers in Charcot deformity JOURNAL OF WOUND CARE VOL 17; NUMB 2; pp. 53-59 Myers, W.T.; Gould, L.J ~(2008) .Animal Models of Tissue Ischemia to Evaluate the Importance of Oxygen in the Wound Healing Environment WOUNDS VOL 20; NUMB 1 pp. 9-17 Partsch, B.; Partsch, H (2008) Compression stockings for treating venous leg ulcers: measurement of interface pressure under a new ulcer kit PHLEBOLOGY -LONDON- VOL 23; NUMB 1 pp. 40-46 Perez, R.; Davis, S.C.(2008) Relevance of Animal Models for Wound Healing WOUNDS VOL 20; NUMB 1 pp. 3-8 Steenvoorde, P.; van Doorn, L.P.; Naves, C.; Oskam, J (2008) Use of autologous platelet-rich fibrin on hard-to-heal wounds JOURNAL OF WOUND CARE VOL 17; NUMB 2; pp. 60-64   Download this newsletter in PDF format