Urgent Need for Better Wound Management Recognized Globally

LANGHORNE, Pa., Nov. 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The need for vastly improved wound management in hospitals is now a pertinent global topic. The World Health Organization estimates that about three to 16 percent of hospitalized patients incur adverse events—half of which are preventable. At the recent second annual Wounds International Conference, hosted in Malaysia and organized by the Malaysian Society of Wound Care Professionals (MSWCP), the primary theme was "Global Wound Care Made Local." According to an article in the New Straits Times, a Malaysia-based newspaper, the opening speech by Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr. S. Subramaniam called for "greater emphasis on the knowledge, theory and training in wound care management to prevent or minimize complications" caused by poor treatment of wounds. The Health Minister reportedly went on to say that because of the high prevalence of diabetes in Malaysia (approximately 20 percent of the population), wound care has become increasingly important, especially in preventing foot amputation due to diabetic complications.

Also reported in the article is that the MCWCP, in addition to organizing the conference, which President Dr. Harikrishna K.R. Nair called the the first of its kind in the world, has designated October 18th as annual "Wound Care Day."

In a related development, Nelson Hospital in Blenheim, New Zealand became the first hospital in the country to host a booth for the improvement of patient safety through the reduction of harm from healthcare associated infections—appropriately named "Open for Better Care- reducing harm from surgical site infections (SSIs). It's part of a national patient safety campaign called "Open for Better Care," focused on reducing harm from surgery, surgical site infections and medication errors, among other things; its purpose was to highlight and promote the campaign's recommended care practices, including: streamlining the infection surveillance process, giving patients the right antibiotic at the right time, using appropriate skin preparations before surgery and clipping rather than shaving the surgical site. The Nelson Marlborough District Health Board says that among the potential consequences of surgical site infections are long-term disabilities, longer hospital stays and life-threatening illnesses.

Another positive development in wound care comes from Alliqua Biomedical, Inc., an innovative Langhorne, PA-based wound management and drug delivery company. The company has built a stellar reputation for creating innovative technology and proprietary products for healthcare providers and their patients. Notably SilverSeal®, a flexible, sterile non-adherent hydrogel dressing that incorporates the antimicrobial properties of metallic silver coated fiber; and Hydress®, which, although not silver-based, mirrors the flexibility, sterility and non-adherent properties of SilverSeal, and can similarly absorb up to twice its weight in wound exudate.

"Our ultimate goal is to help improve wound care quality in hospitals globally, for the benefit of patients, clinicians, and providers," says Alliqua CEO David Johnson. "We believe our innovative products, including Hydress and SilverSeal, can help us achieve just that," he added.

For more, visit alliqua.com, who paid for the writing and dissemination of this release.

Contact:  Laura Radocaj, Dian Griesel Int'l.  212.825.3210

SOURCE Alliqua Biomedical, Inc.