Wound Bed Preparation 2024: Delphi Consensus on Foot Ulcer Management in Resource-Limited Settings

Adv Skin Wound Care. 2024 Apr 1;37(4):180-196. doi: 10.1097/ASW.0000000000000120. Epub 2024 Feb 13.

Abstract

General purpose: To review a practical and scientifically sound application of the wound bed preparation model for communities without ideal resources.

Target audience: This continuing education activity is intended for physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and registered nurses with an interest in skin and wound care.

Learning objectives/outcomes: After participating in this educational activity, the participant will:1. Summarize issues related to wound assessment.2. Identify a class of drugs for the treatment of type II diabetes mellitus that has been shown to improve glycemia, nephroprotection, and cardiovascular outcomes.3. Synthesize strategies for wound management, including treatment in resource-limited settings.4. Specify the target time for edge advancement in chronic, healable wounds.

Plain language summary

Chronic wound management in low-resource settings deserves special attention. Rural or underresourced settings (ie, those with limited basic needs/healthcare supplies and inconsistent availability of interprofessional team members) may not have the capacity to apply or duplicate best practices from urban or abundantly-resourced settings. The authors linked world expertise to develop a practical and scientifically sound application of the wound bed preparation model for communities without ideal resources. A group of 41 wound experts from 15 countries reached a consensus on wound bed preparation in resource-limited settings. Each statement of 10 key concepts (32 substatements) reached more than 88% consensus. The consensus statements and rationales can guide clinical practice and research for practitioners in low-resource settings. These concepts should prompt ongoing innovation to improve patient outcomes and healthcare system efficiency for all persons with foot ulcers, especially persons with diabetes.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Delphi Technique
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* / therapy
  • Diabetic Foot* / diagnosis
  • Diabetic Foot* / therapy
  • Foot Ulcer*
  • Humans
  • Resource-Limited Settings