Wound Treatment Consensus

Wound Healing Foundation

In 2003, the Wound Healing Foundation (WHF) and president Dr. Elof Eriksson determined that standards based on evidence should be developed specific for wound healing. The Foundation knew that chronic wounds were and would continue to be a financial and medical burden as the elderly population grew. The lack of uniformly accepted diagnostic methods to evaluate outcomes on clearly defined, comprehensive wound care standards made the treatment and management of chronic wounds less likely to achieve optimal healing. Thus, a request for proposals to formulate and publish “Minimal Standards for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Wounds: General and Specific” was posted.

The proposal was required to be broad enough to encompass the diagnosis and treatment of chronic wounds in general and have specific guidelines for pressure ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, venous ulcers, and ischemic ulcers. The guidelines were required to be develop by consensus and based on evidence. At the minimum, components were to include: (1) Literature review, (2) Definitions, (3) Diagnostic criteria, (4) Patient stratification, (5) Co-morbidity, (6) Wound bed preparation, (7) Specific wound treatment, (8) Whole patient treatment, if appropriate, (9) Continuing care, and (10) Treatment efficacy/outcome measures.

There were six submissions received and reviewed by the WHF. The submitted proposal that best met the requirements was submitted by the Wound Healing Foundation(WHS) representative Adrian Barbul. The resulting guidelines were developed, vetted and provided a set of standards to meet an unmet need in the field of wound healing.

The Guidelines are freely available and are updated on a continual basis.

A limited number of abridged, pocket size Guidelines are available through the Wound Healing Society. If interested, please contact WHS with your full name, address, phone number and email address. Also, notify us of the quantity and your use for the guidelines and we will mail them to you. Non-USA mailing addresses will be responsible for postage cost.

Wound Treatment Guidelines

Free Access To The Wound Treatment Guidelines

Links courtesy of Wiley’s Wound Repair and Regeneration.

Treatment of Chronic Wounds Consensus Panel

Free Access To The Chronic Wound Care Consensus Document

Links courtesy of Wiley’s Wound Repair and Regeneration.

Treatment of Acute Wounds Consensus Panel

Free Access to the Acute Wound Care Consensus Document

Links courtesy of Wiley’s Wound Repair and Regeneration.

Treatment of Diabetic Wounds Consensus Panel

Coming in 2023

Free Access to the Diabetic Wound Care Consensus Document

Links courtesy of Wiley’s Wound Repair and Regeneration.

    Abridged, Pocket Size Guidelines pdf versions are also available.

    The Foundation funded the creation of wound healing guidelines for acute wounds, chronic wounds and prevention of wounds by best practices and evidence.

    These guidelines are freely available to everyone. The Foundation presents yearly research fellowship awards to outstanding scientists and is positioned to expand its research program through additional small grants and young investigator awards

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