A multidisciplinary, therapy-based, team approach for efficient and effective wound healing: a retrospective study

Area of Science:

• Podiatry
• Wound Care
• Therapeutic Interventions

Background:

• Chronic wounds pose significant challenges, often requiring advanced interventions.
• Many patients with severe lower extremity wounds are referred for last-resort treatments to prevent amputation.
• Existing literature lacks comprehensive data on therapy-based outcomes for diverse chronic wound types.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a therapy-based, multidisciplinary approach for healing chronic wounds.
• To demonstrate high healing rates irrespective of patient demographics or wound chronicity.
• To establish treatment timelines for different wound stages and etiologies.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective study analyzing data from 1994 to 1998.
• Inclusion of chronic wounds of all stages and common etiologies.
• Outpatient treatments administered by trained therapists and nurses under specialist supervision.

Main Results:

• 100% wound healing achieved in patients who completed the treatment program (233 patients, 242 wounds).
• Average healing times: Stage II (7 weeks), Stage III (10 weeks), Stage IV (19 weeks).
• Average healing times for specific etiologies: diabetic (14 weeks), neuropathic (12 weeks), ischemic (16 weeks), venous stasis (8 weeks).

Conclusions:

• A therapy-based, multidisciplinary team approach is highly effective for chronic wound healing.
• Complete wound healing is an attainable goal, even for patients with severe ischemia or those referred for pre-amputation treatment.
• The study underscores the success of a structured, team-based intervention model in wound management.