Impact on management performance outcomes of standardizing wound care using integrated care bundles – results of a retrospective analysis
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: AIM: Integrated care bundles (ICBs) are interventions that used together synergistically improve care outcomes through standardized care pathways and can help to optimize healthcare expenditure. For wound care, ICBs may need to incorporate low or non-adherent dressings for patients with fragile and/or sensitive skin to help reduce the risk of damage. This retrospective analysis of real-world data assessed the impact on wound management outcomes of an ICB where a specific non-adhesive foam dressing was selected for patients with fragile skin and appropriate wound types. METHOD: A comprehensive wound care program using ICBs was implemented and tracked using a real-time electronic database at two large healthcare organizations in Ontario, Canada (December 2015 to March 2018). Anonymized patient data were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: 4421 patients with chronic wounds received an ICB including a non-adhesive foam dressing; 2242 patients did not receive an ICB. With use of the ICB including a non-adhesive foam dressing versus no ICB: mean Bates-Jensen Wound Assessment Tool (BWAT) Score was lower (27.4 vs 33.2); mean time to healing was shorter (12.7 vs 25.5 weeks) and mean time between dressing changes was longer (3.1 vs 1.9 days). Mean labor costs were lower with use of the ICB including a non-adhesive foam dressing (CAD 1766 vs 6488; p < 0.05). No adverse events related to the non-adhesive foam dressing were reported and the overall safety profile improved with use of the ICB. CONCLUSION: Implementing ICBs can help to improve wound management outcomes and reduce labor costs compared with non-standardized care without an ICB.
Source: Journal of Tissue Viability
Authors: Theresa Hurd, Sophie Berry, Julie Murdoch
Institution: Smith & Nephew (United Kingdom)
Language: English
Topic: Wound Healing and Treatments
Subfield: Surgery
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $2,790
OpenAlex ID: W4409388754