Negative pressure wound therapy: suggested solutions to barriers

Abstract

Effective communication to ensure maintenance of a seamless quality service for patients being transferred to the community from the acute sector with negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is essential. This paper reports the findings of a focus group convened to explore the decision making process; controversy or conflict surrounding the decisionmaking process; perceived barriers to seamless discharge and potential benefits of developing a UK standardized NPWT discharge documentation. A proposed algorithm is presented as a template for practitioners to use when discharging patients to the community to enhance timely and effective transfer