Treating chronic wounds in an acute care setting: the forgotten diagnosis

Area of Science:

• Wound Care Management
• Healthcare Systems Analysis
• Patient Outcomes Research

Background:

• Chronic wounds, including lower extremity ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, and pressure injuries, pose a significant and growing burden on healthcare systems.
• The prevalence of chronic wounds is projected to increase due to an aging population and rising rates of diabetes, obesity, and COVID-19.
• These wounds require prolonged healing times, often months or years, impacting both outpatient and inpatient care settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the impact of chronic, difficult-to-heal wounds on acute care facilities.
• To determine how short-term inpatient interventions can influence the long-term healing trajectory of chronic wounds.

Main Methods:

• Convened an expert panel of 7 specialists in chronic wound assessment and treatment within acute care settings in March 2022.
• Facilitated discussions on the role of hospitals in the comprehensive healing pathway for chronic wounds.

Main Results:

• Chronic wounds generate substantial hidden costs for hospitals, including increased bed occupancy, nursing workload, and complications leading to extended stays and readmissions.
• Successful inpatient wound programs facilitate early diagnosis, enhance bedside care via simplified protocols, provide clear patient education and dressing selection, and ensure continuity of care through multidisciplinary discharge planning.
• Effective programs reduce the risk of patient readmission.

Conclusions:

• Hospitals are pivotal in managing chronic wounds, mitigating their impact on individual facilities.
• Implementing robust inpatient wound care strategies can reduce the overall burden on the wider healthcare network.
• Optimizing hospital-based wound management contributes to better patient outcomes and more efficient resource utilization.