INDUSTRY UPDATES

JCR and Hill-Rom Launch Nurse Safety Scholar-in-Residence Program
In recognition of the important role nurses play in translating evidence-based findings to excellent care at the patient's bedside, Joint Commission Resources (JCR), Oak Brook, Illinois, and Hill-Rom, Batesville, Indiana, are collaborating to launch a Nurse Safety Scholar-in-Residence program in 2009.The Nurse Safety Scholar-in-Residence program will focus initially on developing tools and best practices to maintain skin integrity and prevent pressure ulcers.

Information: http://www.jcrinc.com/JCR-Hill-Rom-Nurse-Scholar

Data Released on Hospitalizations Related to Pressure Ulcers
A Statistical Brief from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality presents data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project on patterns of utilization and costs for adult hospital stays involving the treatment of pressure ulcers in 2006.

Information: http://www.hcup-us.ahrq.gov/reports/statbriefs/sb64.pdf

ConvaTec Acquires Exclusive Worldwide Rights for Negative Pressure Wound Therapy System
ConvaTec, Skillman, New Jersey, has signed a long-term global exclusive license agreement with Boehringer Technologies, Ridgefield, Connecticut, to market and distribute Boehringer's Engenex Negative Pressure Wound Therapy System incorporating Bio-Dome Interface Technology.

Information: http://www.convatec.com

Clinicians Credit Medihoney Use in Helping to Prevent Potential Amputation
Derma Sciences, Inc, Princeton, New Jersey, announced that Medihoney was the focus of a major press conference recently at North Shore Long Island Jewish Hospital in Manhasset, New York. At the press conference, clinicians detailed the case of a patient who appeared to be heading toward a lower extremity amputation due to a non-healing wound associated with an extremely rare fungal infection.

Information: http://www.dermasciences.com

New Rapid Wound Pathology Service to Support Managed Wound Healing Centers
The Boca Raton, Florida-based National Healing Corporation (NHC), which accounts for 30 percent of the nation's managed wound healing centers, is providing a new rapid wound pathology service to its centers and client hospitals in association with the division of dermatopathology in the Department of Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery at the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine. When faced with an atypical wound, the clinical staff at National Healing Corporation Wound Healing Centers will send a biopsy to the experts in Miami who will be aided by advanced diagnostic techniques including histology, histochemistry, and immunohistochemistry.

Information: http://www.nationalhealing.com

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ASSOCIATION NEWS

American Professional Wound Care Association Plans Conference
The American Professional Wound Care Association (APWCA) will hold its APWCA2009 National Conference on April 2-5, 2009, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A new lecture program will be offered in 2009, including many new faculty members to provide a different global perspective on wound care. Faculty is chosen for their background, communication skills, and ability to teach. The speakers include thought and content leaders, such as Dieter Mayer, MD, FAPWCA, from Switzerland and R. Gary Sibbald, BSc, MD, FRCPC (Med) (Derm), FAPWCA, MEd, from Canada, who will be the recipient of the APWCA Outstanding Achievement Award. Currently, Dr Sibbald's professional activities include serving as President of the World Union of Wound Healing Societies and as Clinical Associate Editor of Advances in Skin and Wound Care.

Diane Krasner, PhD, RN, CWOCN, FAPWCA, will speak on several topics, including participation in a panel on palliative care and legal issues related to wound care with Elizabeth Ayello, PhD, RN, ACNS-BC, ETN, FAPWCA, FAAN, and Sharon Baranoski, MSN, RN, CWOCN, APN, DAPWCA, FAAN. Michael Weingarten, MD, FAPWCA, of Hahnemann University Hospital and Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, will address "Venous Disease Surgical Management." Dr Dieter Mayer, who is affiliated with the Clinic for Cardiovascular Surgery, Zurich, Switzerland, will address "World Perspective on Epidemiology and Outcomes of Peripheral Arterial Disease." Jeremy Tamir, MD, FAPWCA, will address the sensitive topic of "What We Have Learned about Wounds from War...Are We Improving Outcomes?" Podiatric physician opinion leaders invited to faculty include Robert Frykberg, DPM, MPH, FAPWCA; Peter Blume, DPM, FAPWCA; and Barry Block, DPM, FAPWCA.

The conference scientific program includes many highlights and new concepts, such as "Metabolic Syndrome: Implications for Wound Healing," and a full panel presentation on "Where is the Role for Hyperbarics," which will be held in collaboration with the American College of Hyperbaric Medicine. The "Annual Scientific Address" includes a panel of key wound care researchers. Other highlights include pre-conference courses with a full panel on all aspects of pressure ulcers, breakout sessions with new techniques for bone grafting, and a post-conference course on "The Business of Wound Care." Registrants can learn concepts that may be applied the day they return to their offices.

APWCA2009 is jointly sponsored by the APWCA and Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia. The American College of Hyperbaric Medicine is a collaborating society and has moved the annual meeting of the membership to the APWCA2009 conference. Also collaborating with APWCA2009 will be Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine. Affiliated societies and organizations include New Cardiovascular Horizons, VEITHsymposium, and iLegx Wound Conference/Biba Medical, the association's European affiliate.

Deadline for all oral and poster abstract application submissions is February 2, 2009.

Information: http://www.apwca.org

Registration Is Open for National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel's Conference
Registration is now open for the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel's (NPUAP) 11th National Biennial Conference, ushering in New International Guidelines for Pressure Ulcer Prevention and Treatment: Public Policy & Clinical Practice. The February 27-28, 2009 conference at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City, Arlington, Virginia, features 2 concurrent tracks: International Guideline Consensus on Implementation, and Current Best Practice in Pressure Ulcer Management. Attendees must choose one track, Conference 1 or Conference 2, when registering.

Information: http://www.npuap.org

     
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