TWC News Update

Innovative Wound Imaging Debuts in Outpatient Clinics

  A wound care service company has helped bring new technology into the outpatient wound clinic setting that is expected to help providers see wounds in a new, improved way. Wound Care Advantage (WCA) recently partnered with Pristine, a telehealth communications solutions company based in Austin, TX, that’s reportedly the only company to develop commercially available glass-based software that meets HIPAA regulations, to bring Google Glass into an outpatient wound care setting for the first time. For more information on WCA, visit www.thewca.com.   Google Glass is a wireless, hands free, wearable computer of sorts that rests upon one’s face as traditional glasses would and allows for close first-person perspective imagery. The device will be implemented at Wound Care Advantage’s partnering wound centers, according to WCA officials.    “The fastest way to treat a patient is to have the experts see the issue as quickly as possible, allowing for rapid treatment,” said Mike Comer, chief executive officer of WCA. “The longer it takes to get a patient to appropriate experts, the higher the likelihood that the wound can become either life-threatening or require an amputation. Pristine’s Google Glass app, EyeSight, goes a long way to helping WCA enable better outcomes.”   The product is expected to improve clinical productivity and enable clinicians to see and treat greater numbers of patients.    “Telemedicine is no longer the future, it is here and cutting-edge companies like Wound Care Advantage and Pristine have created an approach to successfully meet HIPAA compliance, improve the patient experience, and conquer wound care from a distance with Google Glass,” said Kurt Arisohn, chief operating officer of WCA.

Rural Wound Care Event Coming to Louisiana

  A newly launched rural health educational venue is inviting wound care providers to learn about their industry from providers and vendors during an event in Natchitoches, LA, March 13.   The second installment of Wound Healing Roundtable will be hosted and moderated by Frank Aviles Jr., PT, CWS, WCC, FACCWS, CLT, and feature a panel of speakers including Daniel T. Ferraras, DPM, FAPWCA; William A. Ball Jr., MD, FACS; and others. Topics of discussion will include diabetic care, diabetic infections, and dressings/advanced modalities (eg, negative pressure, honey dressings, and low-frequency ultrasound).    “The purpose is to educate attendees regarding wound healing in a relaxed, multidisciplinary setting while demonstrating the science behind the products,” Aviles said. “It is important for all of us to concentrate on basic fundamentals, current research, and expected outcomes in order to select appropriate interventions. The physicians will be asked questions regarding their specialty while the vendors will be discussing appropriate use of their products.”   The first roundtable event was held in November 2013. Future events are expected to be held once per fiscal quarter and/or as requested. For more information, contact Aviles at 318-228-5056.

WOCN Announces Top Resources

  The Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society (WOCN) has revealed its most frequently downloaded and purchased products for each specialty during the 2013 fiscal year. The following were most sought after for wound care:     • Guideline for Prevention and Management of Pressure Ulcers: A guideline that provides evidence-based information about pressure ulcers and an overview covering the background, significance, and physiological aspects of pressure ulcers. Also presented is the etiology of pressure ulcers, overall management goals, and recommendations for prevention and treatment.     • Clean Vs. Sterile Dressing for Management of Chronic Wounds: This document originated in 2001 as a joint position statement from WOCN and the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology Inc. Its purpose is to review the evidence on clean vs. sterile technique and present approaches for wound management.     • Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) Quick Reference: This document provides relevant information about ABI including definition, limitations, indications, contraindications, and guidelines, as well as a research-based protocol to use in performing the test and interpreting the results.