Matrix Metalloproteases (MMPs) play a key role in major processes of normal wound healing. If left unchecked, chronically elevated levels prevent wounds from healing. Clinicians can regulate MMPs in the wound bed using basic principles of good wound healing. This session will provide strategies to support the positive functions of MMPs while reducing or eliminating MMPs’ harmful effects.

Many autoimmune connective tissue diseases and vascular conditions in rheumatology have cutaneous manifestations. Skin signs are useful in the diagnosis of rheumatic disease, as they often precede systemic symptoms. This session will examine skin manifestations that are prominent in rheumatic diseases.

While not all wound care providers are dermatologists, a solid foundation in dermatology is paramount for practicing in the field. This session will first cover the science behind skin structure and function and how they are disrupted and repaired in the process of wound care. It will then delve into a discussion of dermatologic conditions that lead to wounds and how the wound care professional can best identify and treat them.

Just like in Dr. Seuss’, “The Foot Book” that describes feet by color, shape and size, can foot conditions be identified by the coloration of the feet? This session will examine lower limb conditions and assess if they can be identified based on color. Put your best foot forward and join this session!

Various antimicrobial therapies are widely utilized both topically and systemically for the management of skin, soft tissue and wound infections. This session will introduce updates to applications of currently used topical and systemic antibiotics, as well as new therapies indicated for skin, soft tissue and wound infections.

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is an inflammatory ulcerative skin condition affecting mainly the lower extremities. As there is no specific marker, misdiagnosis is not uncommon in clinical practice. Our increasing knowledge of the pathogenesis is supporting the use of targeted therapy; however there are no established guidelines to provide treatment to these patients. This session will briefly discuss the pathogenesis of PG and then provide the recommended practical approaches for diagnosing and treatment PG for wound care providers

In the first of our two-topic wound infection series, infection is the greatest threat to managing wound care and quick diagnosis is needed in avoiding complications. This session will provide steps for risk-assessment and taking those first crucial steps in stopping infectious spread

This session will focus on outpatient registries, setting up an outpatient lab, types of lesions, treatments, why outpatient labs are increasing and the importance of out-patient facilities and treatment of complex PAD in the outpatient setting. Yes we can take care and treat complex advanced CLI in the OBL’s!

Necrotizing Soft Tissue Injury (NSTI) is an increasingly common problem, characterized by progressive and potentially fatal soft tissue infection that requires rapid diagnosis and radical and multiple surgical debridement of all involved tissue. This presentation will explore the entire progression of NSTI management from diagnosis, surgery, skin grafting and wound care.

Atypical wounds are wounds caused by conditions or diseases that don’t typically form a wound. There are many different types of atypical wounds and this session will focus on those of infectious cause. In a case-based format, learners will develop practical tips on identifying uncommon etiology, locations, and appearances of atypical wounds of infectious cause as well as treatment approaches.

Osteomyelitis management necessitates a multifaceted, multidisciplinary approach involving surgical intervention and antimicrobial therapy as the cornerstone of treatment. In this session, there will be stepwise review of approach to osteomyelitis management including proper staging and identification of causative organism, surgical reconstruction and delivery of appropriate antibiotics.

In the second of our two-topic wound infection series, this session will review the role of bioburden and how it impacts healing in hard-to-heal and challenging wounds. This session will address the critical need for early antibiofilm-based interventions in breaking the cycle of biofilm to support wounds on a healing trajectory.

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a common inflammatory skin disease that results in draining skin lesions and therefore requires wound care. HS is associated with pilonidal cyst and its surgical care requires wound care considerations as well. In this session, a dermatologist and a surgeon will discuss cases of HS and pilonidal cyst and review what is know and what is new about diagnosis, management, and wound care.

Once a clinical wound infection has been diagnosed, the identification of infecting organisms is crucial to choosing the correct antibiotic as well as to antibiotic stewardship. This session will review techniques for identifying aerobic, anaerobic, and atypical bacteria, as well as fungi in wounds, including culture techniques and molecular-based diagnostics. Emerging diagnostics for identifying biofilm and point of care testing will be reviewed. Lastly, how to interpret culture reports will be discussed.

Physiologically, there are very few differences in the integumentary system across diverse ethnic groups. From a dermatological perspective, however, there are unique presentations and conditions that affect certain individuals that are important to recognize and understand clinically. This session will highlight the more common dermatological presentations unique to skin of color to aid in prevention and recognition of normal and abnormal skin related impairments.

With new and emerging therapies for hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) available on the market, these patients with extensive wounds are coming to your neck of the woods. Are you ready? In this session, the medical and surgical guidelines for treatment of HS will be examined and specific procedures will be reviewed in a case-based discussion.

Hidradenitis suppurativa and pyoderma gangrenosum are painful and chronic inflammatory dermatoses. In treating both, it is integral clinicians address quality of life issues and consider custom treatment options. This session will study various topics around these two etiologically obscure disorders.

The cellular activities essential for wound healing proceed most efficiently when there is a fully functioning clotting system in place, but many chronic wound patients are taking anticoagulant medications to prevent clot formation for a range of thromboembolic disease states. It stands to reason that interference in thrombin-mediated wound healing activities may stall wound progression and delay wound healing. Patients sustaining even a low impact trauma while on anticoagulant therapy can develop extensive soft-tissue injuries that can quickly turn into non-healing wounds. This session will debate if the benefits of anticoagulant medications outweigh the risks and how to carefully evaluate this patient population.

This session will present common conditions and their uncommon presentations as well as review the management strategies and systemic associations with the goal of increasing recognition and comfort level in diagnosis and treatment in the primary care setting.

Wounds are frequently painful, which can be very difficult for both the patient and the healthcare team providing care for the patient. In this session, we will discuss risk factors for wound pain as well as pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic therapies that can improve the experience for everyone involved.

This session will be a review of the new drugs (new chemical entities and repurposed drugs) that have been approved, are in clinical investigation or have been reported in the recent literature. Examples include new drugs for epidermolysis bullosa and venous leg ulcers. We will also review the array of new therapeutic options which will help improved therapy for patients.

We have come a long way since the discovery of penicillin, or have we? In this session, a critical appraisal of systemic and topical antimicrobial therapies will be presented. Focus will be on drugs and devices as well as the critical need for antimicrobial stewardship in the field of wound care.

Wounds often have systemic implications and focusing on the wound itself may limit the potential to improve patient outcomes. Medications have the potential to augment or inhibit healing. This session will discuss known and emerging medications that have the potential to either improve or inhibit healing. As a result, the provider can add to their armamentarium of treatment options.

Wound care patients can benefit from pharmaceutical and herbal remedies that impact wound healing. Dosage, delivery systems, interactions and co-morbidities play a significant role in the success or failure of expected outcomes. Enhance your knowledge during this session as you learn to appreciate the fine balance between the pharmaceutical and herbal "good and not so good".

Appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic management of patients who have chronic, sacral pressure injuries is a challenge for clinicians. There is lack of clarity on when, how, and how long to treat. This session will examine the role of antibiotics in the management of stage 4 pressure injury with osteomyelitis.

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), a chronic inflammatory skin condition, is a painful follicular, occlusive disease that affects the intertriginous axillary, groin, perianal, perineal, genital, and inframammary regions. In addition to skin manifestations, patients experience pain, reduced quality of life and higher rates of anxiety and depression. Wound care professionals are essential members of the multidisciplinary care team in HS management. In a case-based format, this session will examine the medical, surgical and wound care management of both acute flares and chronic draining HS wounds and strategies to counsel patients with HS about at-home wound care.

Therapeutic medications can help or hurt wound healing. This session will review current medications that can promote wound repair and/or treat underlying pathologies that may affect wound healing. This session will also review the role of multiple different drugs that your patients may need to be put on or taken off of when they have a chronic wound. Measures to minimize side effects of medications that the wound patient must be on will also be discussed.

This session will discuss the association between autoimmune conditions and chronic wounds. We will discuss different wound etiologies that require a search for an underlying autoimmune disorder, and wounds that arise in various autoimmune diseases.

The variety of climate conditions can have an impact on wound care related illnesses and ailments. Individuals with chronic medical conditions are more vulnerable than the general population to those conditions. This session at WoundCon Summer, led by Drs. Swoboda and Goddard, will examine such climate conditions and their impact on the care and management of the patient with chronic wounds.

The presence of bone infection in diabetic wound patients substantially alters the treatment approach. Determinants of the suitability, timing and length of antimicrobial therapy include the chronic nature of the infection, the presence of necrotic material, and the inhospitable environment for phagocytes. Learn about the latest 2023 IWGDF/IDSA Guidelines on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Diabetes – related foot infections and explore the updated assessment and treatment options.

The treatment of a “hard to heal” commonly requires a multimodal approach and the involvement of a multidisciplinary team. This session will address the multiple factors considered in the management of complex wounds and current guidelines and protocols.

Malnutrition is a common complication in wound healing and a major contributor to decreased functionality, quality of life, and increased morbidity and mortality. Pressure injuries, as with all hard-to-heal wounds, require sufficient macronutrients and micronutrients, iron and fluid for optimal healing. Combining perspectives of a pharmacist and registered dietitian, this session offers approaches to stimulate appetite in patients with severe malnutrition utilizing targeted medications and nutritional guidelines.

Despite best care practices of pressure redistribution, nutritional enhancement, local wound management, and treatment of underlying co-morbidities, some pressure injuries will still need surgical intervention. Follow the process and techniques used in this case-based approach when surgical intervention is necessary to restore tissue and function in patients with pressure-related wounds

Itch is a known symptom of the healing process as the skin regenerates. However, clinicians must recognize the difference of common itching versus more distressing pathophysiological characteristics in wound care. Do you have an itch to gain insights? Attend this session to assess and manage mild to chronic itching cases.

Many patients, particularly those with mobility issues, have pressure injuries on the sacrum or coccyx. Stool and urinary incontinence and other sources of contamination complicate wound healing and make it difficult to care for and heal these wounds. This session addresses the multi-faceted components of preventing and decreasing contamination in patients with sacral wounds. This includes identifying the cause of contamination, medical and nutrition considerations, wound management strategies and documentation.

Silver nitrate can be an effective tool in the hands of a skilled wound professional. Learn about the evidence-based conditions that can benefit by the use of silver nitrate as well as the forms available for use. Application, side effects and contraindications will be discussed through a case- based approach.

Obesity is risk factor for both the development of and non-healing of ulcers. We have come a long way since the only tools for treating obesity were the advice of “you need to eat less and exercise more”. In this session, presenters will discuss newer medical therapies, including GLP1 agonists.

This session will discuss and explore the latest advancements in diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) management and neuropathy interventions. Detailing the innovative treatments and strategies aimed at improving outcomes and reducing complications for patients with DFUs due to neuropathic conditions. Gain practical insights on integrating new approaches into clinical practice to enhance wound care efficacy and patient quality of life.

Wounds are often associated with pain, which adversely affects a patient’s quality of life. Simultaneously, we are in the midst of an opioid epidemic. In this session, presenters will discuss both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic therapies will allow the wound healer to better care for their patients suffering with pain.

The use of systemic and topical medication in conditions for which there is not FDA approval can be a daunting proposition. This session will provide insights and guidance in the off-label use of medications in the wound care setting.

This session provides healthcare professionals with essential knowledge for accurately identifying primary skin conditions, skin eruptions caused by infection, and both benign and malignant growths of the lower extremities. Participants will gain insights into delivering optimized treatment for a range of lower extremity disorders.

HS patients have a significant wound burden and are coming to your clinic but this time, they are on a new drug - do you know which new drugs and treatments are available for HS? In this session an update will be provided about advances in the research on HS. New insights into disease etiology will be presented. New treatments for HS will be reviewed as well. All done from the perspective of the wound healing specialist.

In this session, a standard approach will be reviewed to make sense and demystify the diagnosis and treatment of atypical wounds. Then, review of the diagnosis and management of pyoderma gangrenosum and cancer-related wounds will be presented via a case-based discussion.

Supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Paratek Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
1.00 CME/CNE/CPME

Learning objectives:
1. Correlate the increase of ABSSSI with increased morbidity, mortality, length of hospital stay, and overall costs.
2. Explain the mechanisms of action of tetracycline-class antibacterials and describe their spectrum of activity against common pathogens associated with ABSSSI.
3. Examine current trends in antibiotic resistance relevant to ABSSSI, including the prevalence of resistant strains and how tetracyclines compare to other antibiotic classes.