Negative pressure wound therapy in the acute care units of the Mendrisio Regional Hospital: results of a clinical audit

During last twenty years, tailored technologies were spread and improved; they are aimed to support the treatment of difficult-toheal wounds, such as negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT). This type of treatment lead to promote healing process and to reduce hospital stay of patients. In an acute care setting, planning and managing these new technologies represent a key-point. We did a retrospective study about NPWT in acute care setting in Beata Vergine Regional Hospital in 2017, aimed at performing a clinical audit; the results were compared to scientific literature to detect differences in daily clinical practice. Audit is a very helpful tool for Clinical Government: this method leads to improve the management of clinical activities because the entire staff (physicians and nurses) obtains important data about care setting. Patients treated by NPWT are usually difficult to treat and need a correct assessment and a multidisciplinary approach. Consequently, fundamental aspects are represented by nursing staff education and its relationship with medical staff, data collections and computer-assisted technologies development. Significant scientific literature and clinical experience seem to recommend a nursing management of NPWT patients. This aspect is very interesting and it can be improved by specific education, adequate organization and correct data collection.