Overcoming barriers to quality wound care: a systems perspective

The societal burden of chronic wound care is guaranteed to intensify given the increasing elderly population of the United States. Currently 1.5 to 3 million patients with pressure ulcers are being treated at an estimated cost of $5 billion dollars annually. Many more millions suffer from venous, arterial, and neuropathic leg ulcers. When the huge scope of the issue is considered, the enormous challenge of providing quality wound care in the future is evident. Using general systems theory, this article analyzes contemporary salient barriers to quality chronic wound care from individual, group, and societal level systems perspectives. Factors that can help overcome these barriers are targeted, including newly emerging technological facilitators.