Just in Time Evidence Panel

An exciting World Union of Wound Healing Societies (WUWHS) initiative WoundPediaTM will be launched at this congress. This website will review wound care evidence in a just in time format for translation into practice. The WUWHS will also be launching a number of consensus statements on important aspects of practice that will provide commentary on a range of subjects where the scientific evidence requires further research. WoundPediaTM will explore several consensus methodologies to collect expert knowledge and provide quick reference guides in the wound bed preparation format. We will also be utilizing the Agree Collaboration (www.agreecollaboration.com) instrument to rate the methodological quality of existing guidelines. This process should also facilitate the identification of existing gaps in the wound care knowledge base. This database is designed to provide a toolkit for local initiatives where all categories of evidence must be combined with the availability of local expertise, resources and patient preferences. In a rapidly changing world, there is a need for a global village of wound care to share just in time evidence with experiences from educational and implementation successes and failures.

Education is another important component to improve patient outcomes. The evidence base of educational strategies that improve practice include the need for interactive teaching methods, longitudinal design and a link to improved professional performance and patient outcomes.

Reimbursement Initiative

There is a need for persons with chronic wounds to have a minimal set of reimbursed devices in all countries worldwide. The World Union of Wound Healing Societies is advocating for a common framework to share wound care reimbursement policy and evidence informed practice that impact patients with wounds worldwide. It is currently acknowledged that reimbursement exists for dressings and devices in a limited number of geographical areas, whereas in other countries, no reimbursement is available or partial coverage may disadvantage some patient populations. An International Consensus approach was investigated during the first and second Paris 2005, 2006 WUWHS reimbursement meetings. Dr Luc Téot will present a summary of the Paris meetings.

There is a basic requirement for all patients with wounds to have access to wound care expertise and medical devices and supplies to optimize healing. Reimbursement systems for patients have varying accessibility with different healthcare systems. The WUWHS needs to ensure that wound care health policy makers evaluate the unique, multiprofessional and comprehensive nature of wound care practice in such areas of wound care research, patient assessment, care plan development, continuation of care and coverage, coding and payment of wound care devices and supplies. Therefore, it is necessary to educate patients, healthcare professionals and payers concerning guiding principles for Wound Care Policy. Preliminary WUWHS statements for further discussion will be presented by Marcia Nusgart.

Guiding Principles for Wound Care Reimbursement & Health Policy

1. Persons with wounds and their families should expect that:
   1. Timely, holistic assessments are performed in order to appropriately manage both wounds and associated conditions.
   2. Continuity of care is maintained in all settings for optimal outcomes.
   3. They will be educated on their roles and responsibilities in developing and adhering to comprehensive treatment plans.
2. Health care professionals should strive to incorporate:
   1. All available categories of evidence to provide evidence-informed wound care knowledge for timely assessment and re-evaluation of wounds and associated conditions.
   2. Appropriate products and therapies (used separately or in tandem) into the wound care treatment plan based on the type and severity of wounds and associated conditions.
   3. Care that is coordinated among all caregivers (professional and non-pro fessional) involved in the patient's overall health management plan.
3. Health care policy makers should consider that:
   1. Evidence of effectiveness for wound care products and services is not limited to randomized controlled trials and can be established through a combination of scientific evidence, expert knowledge and patient preference.
   2. Intermediate wound care outcomes (in addition to complete wound closure) are important benchmarks for evaluating effectiveness of wound care products and services.
   3. Early intervention (prevention and treatment) improves both clinical and economic outcomes by reducing healing times, treatment costs and recidivism rates.

21st Century Wound Care Putting the Patient First: Optimising the Integration of V.A.C.® Therapy into Clinical Practice — A Global Consensus (see Exhibitor Directory for details)

Minimizing Pain at Dressing: Related Procedures (see Exhibitor Directory for details)

Compression in Venous Leg Ulceration: Practical Considerations (see Exhibitor Directory for details)

Assessment and Treatment of Patients with Wound Pain (see Exhibitor Directory for details)

Wound Infection Management (see Exhibitor Directory for details)

(see Exhibitor Directory for Details)

Humanitarian Concerns for the Developing World

The Future Role of Diagnostics in Wounds (see Exhibitor Directory for details)

Evidence in Everyday Life

The Role of Dynamic Reciprocity in Difficult to Heal Wounds (see Exhibitor Directory for details)

(see Exhibitor Directory for details)

A Patient's Perspective: The Evidence of Strength
"The Phoenix Factor"