Resources

This paper reports on the results of a clinician survey exploring the real world experience of clinicians using a range of gelling fibre dressings (Exufiber and Exufiber Ag+;  Mölnlycke Healthcare, Gothenburg SW).

As a clinician, it is important that you are aware of all the latest new products that have the potential to improve outcomes for you and your patients. Each month, Wound Care Today will highlight a product that is new, improved or innovative to keep you up to date with what is available. This month, we focus on eKare inSight®, a unique and easy to use Wound Management Digital System (WMDS) that transforms a smartphone into a medical device enabling standardised, accurate wound assessment at the point of care.

Lymphoedema is a chronic, progressive condition, which can have a significant impact on patients ó both physically and psychologically. While there is no cure, it is vital that the condition is effectively managed to prevent deterioration and its impact on patient quality of life.

Venous Leg ulcers ( are the most common type of leg ulcer, accounting for up to 60 80 of all leg ulcers(NICE 2021 Living with a venous leg ulcer can have a huge impact on the quality of life of patients (Olsson Friman 2009 There are many reasons why living with a wound affects health related quality of life HRQoL These can often be linked to physical
functioning, psychosocial functioning, and the impact on set treatments including pain, mobility, sleep and routine daily activities (Vishwanath 2014 P atients with chronic wounds of the lower extremity often experience functional disability and emotional distress, which impact negatively on patient quality of life Roper et al 2000 recognise that HRQoL often
depends on an ability to independently carry out daily activities As evidence suggests that VLUs impact both hrQoL and daily activities of living, it is important that these issues are assessed and addressed as part of the plan of care

Background and Aim

• Sub-Epidermal Moisture (SEM) measurement detects early, non-visible pressure ulcers (PUs) five days* earlier than visual-skin-assessments (VSA)1 regardless of skin tone2. SEM assessments are recognised in international clinical practice guidelines3.
• Collaboration with 31 acute-care settings in five countries allowed implementation of a GDPRcompliant pressure ulcer reduction program (PURP) to evaluate the impact of implementing SEM assessment technology in PU standards of care (SoC) by means of a Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) approach; with a repeatable, pragmatic programme.

730, 000 adults (1.5% of the adult population) of the UK have a leg ulcer in one year.(1) As a major vascular surgical hub, our department, is passionate in exploring new innovations in wound management. According to NICE (2016), dressings should provide the optimal environment for wound healing(2l As a team we were given an opportunity to assess the clinical impact of a new innovative Bioactive microfibre gelling (BMG) dressing (MaxioCel®) to promote faster wound healing, improve patient experience, and shorten length of hospital stay for our patients. 

Background and Aim

• Annual cost to UK healthcare system alone reportedat £2.1 Billion¹
• Average treatment costs per patient range from £1,400 to >£8,500 (Category 3, 4 PUs)²
• Adds 5 to 8 days to patient’s length of stay³
• Sub-epidermal Moisture (SEM) is the established biomarker to detect microscopic tissue damage even before visual skin assessments (VSA)^4,5
• This health-economic evaluation describes the costeffectiveness of implementing SEM assessment technology* in the standard of care for PU prevention

The mode of action for commercial wound dressings may aim to physically remove bacterial load from a wound through attachment to a dressing surface. Analysing transcription of key genes involved with the attachment process alongside bacterial quantification can aid in the understanding of dressing mode of action.

Focus days and activities are frequently used to raise awareness of issues impacting on patients’ well-being. However, to achieve excellence in practice, action must continue beyond the scope of these. This poster discusses a partnership project undertaken to raise awareness of Moisture Associated Skin Damage (MASD) and ensure sta feel condent in assessment and management patients’ skin.