Wound - An injury, usually involving division of tissue or rupture of the integument or mucous membrane.

Pressure Ulcer (Bedsore) - Lesions caused by unrelieved pressure to any part of the body, especially portions over bony or cartilaginous areas, which frequently develop on persons confined to a bed by infirmity.

Two different aspects of equally debilitating tissue breakdown, both require distinct measures of therapeutic intervention.

In the mid 1980's, exciting new data began to drive the way clinicians managed hard-to-heal acute and chronic wounds. This new data suggested that, contrary to the notion that a wound would heal better if left exposed to air, in fact a moist environment is more conducive to wound healing. Products to provide a moist and occlusive environment began to create the market for what are considered "advanced wound care dressings."

Other common treatments for wounds include debridement of necrotic or infected tissue, maintenance of a moist wound environment, control of infection, and provision of therapeutic support surfaces. Despite these treatments, some wounds continue to resist healing. Therefore, advanced treatments are being assessed to improve the prognosis of patients with complicated wound profiles.

According to the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel's (NPUAP), a pressure ulcer involves “localized injury to the skin and/or underlying tissue, usually over a bony prominence, as a result of pressure, or pressure in combination with shear and/or friction.” Pressure Ulcers are staged (I-IV, deep tissue injury, and unstageable) relative to the depth and extent of damage. The NPUAP staging system may be viewed at: http://www.npuap.org/pr2.htm

Feel free to contact our customer service team during business hours to address any Advanced Wound Care supply questions you might have, at 916-452-3253, press #4.