What promotes or prevents greater use of appropriate compression in people with venous leg ulcers? A qualitative interview study with nurses in the north of England using the Theoretical Domains Framework.

Objectives: To investigate factors that promote and prevent the use of compression therapy in people with venous leg ulcers.

Design: Qualitative interview study with nurses using the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF).

Setting: Three National Health Service Trusts in England.

Embedding National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance into a leg ulcer pathway.

Research has shown that leg ulcers represent the largest category of wound type treated within the UK. Venous leg ulcers are often classified as chronic wounds with increased protease levels causing the wound to become suspended in the inflammatory stage, which leads to delayed healing. If treatment choices are not evidence-based and appropriate regimens are not instigated early on in the wound care journey, the cost to both the patient and the healthcare service is substantial.

Improving patient outcomes through the implementation of a person-centred leg ulcer pathway.

Objective: To develop a holistic pathway for leg ulcer assessment and management, implemented within a local community organisation. The primary aim for this pathway was to reduce time-to-healing.

Method: A leg ulcer pathway was designed to be used in all care settings to support continuity, and contains quality of life (QoL) assessment tools, a treatment algorithm, guidance for use, a leg ulcer assessment form, and a wound treatment chart.

Using a modified Delphi methodology to gain consensus on the use of dressings in chronic wounds management.

Objective: Managing chronic wounds is associated with a burden to patients, caregivers, health services and society and there is a lack of clarity regarding the role of dressings in improving outcomes. This study aimed to provide understanding on a range of topics, including: the definition of chronicity in wounds, the burden of illness, clinical outcomes of reducing healing time and the impact of early interventions on clinical and economic outcomes and the role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in wound healing.

Method: A systematic review of the literature was carried out on the role of dressings in diabetic foot ulcer (DFU), and venous leg ulcer (VLU) management strategies, their effectiveness, associated resource use/cost, and quality of life (QoL) impact on patients.