Case for Negative Pressure Wound Therapy in the Treatment of Diabetic Ulcers

Download or read book Case for Negative Pressure Wound Therapy in the Treatment of Diabetic Ulcers written by Charlene Sousa and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Diabetes is an ever-growing problem in the United States claiming many new victims each year and taxing the healthcare system. Diabetic ulcers play a large role in this. They are a common cause of concern for those with advanced diabetes related to the neuropathic conditions suffered as a result of prolonged hyperglycemia. For decades, traditional wound care has been the standard treatment of diabetic ulcers, but has neither proven to be the best practice nor the most cost effective as evidenced by high infection rates and associated amputations. Negative pressure wound therapy, NPWT, has been the topic of much research and is making a name for itself in the wound care arena. Research suggests that NPWT heals stubborn wounds, such as diabetic ulcers, faster than standard wound care and reduces infection rates and unnecessary limb loss. In addition, NPWT requires less dressing changes translating to less money spent on supplies and staffing. Not only is NPWT more cost effective, but it produces better patient outcomes for those with difficult to heal wounds. Diabetics are a vulnerable population that requires the best care possible and NPWT seems to be the obvious choice. It is time that more medical professionals consider NPWT as the chosen standard of care for diabetic ulcers.