Novel Treatment Effective to Attain Closure of Chronic Wounds: Saving Time, Costs, and Improving Patient Outcomes

Chronic wounds, failing to progress through the expected stages of wound healing, are a significant burden to patients, clinicians, and the United States Healthcare System₁. Many factors can interfere with one or more of the phases of wound healing₂; however, bioburden is the only barrier to healing that is completely within the clinicians' ability to manage₃.

12 patients with various etiology non-healing wounds were treated with a novel topical preparation, capable of binding to the pathogens within the wound bed, in combination with NPWT.Past interventions ranged from multiple topical treatements to NPWT to skin grafting, each unsuccessful to heal the patients' wounds. All patients were evaluated to ensure a comprehensive plan of care and wound management of the key areas involved in wound healing. Past treatment methods were reviewed to complete a cost analysis comparing the novel treatment to past regimens.

All patients were able to attain wound closure within 3-8 weeks, compounding the effectiveness of the novel treatment to expedite wound healing. Collectively, the patients in this study achieved wound closure at an accelerated speed with the use of the novel gel in combination with NPWT. Multiple treatment approaches had failed each of the patients in the past.

A cost analysis of outcomes was calculated based on prior treatment products and length of treatment with the products compared to the cost of the novel gel to heal the wounds. Calculations utilizing current costs of each past treatment determined the cost of the novel product was 65% less costly per patient. Further, since none of the patients had healed with the past treatments, each patient's quality of life and overall outcomes were improved by obtaining wound closure.