Cheng Lin Tsai

  • The Program of Home Wound Care in Tainan: Effectiveness Evaluation for the First Year

    Purpose:
    In southern Taiwan, over six thousand individuals suffer from hard-to-heal wounds due to pressure injuries. Half of these patients receive home health care or reside in nursing homes. However, most wound care centers provide aggressive wound therapy exclusively within a hospital setting. Without this aggressive wound therapy, patients in nursing homes or under home health care may endure prolonged wounds and recurrent wound infections.

    Materials and Methods:
    Since January 2023, the National Health Insurance Administration has collaborated with plastic and reconstructive surgeons in Tainan City to offer home wound care services to patients in home health care or nursing homes. We have collected and presented the patients' data in this report.

    Results:
    Over a nine-month period, we provided home wound care services to 18 patients. The majority of the wounds were pressure injuries (75%), while others included diabetic foot ulcers and various skin ulcerations. Following home wound care visits, we observed a significant improvement in wound condition and a notable reduction in the risk of further infections.

    Conclusion:
    Seeking medical care at a hospital can be challenging for both patients and their families, particularly in urban areas. Home wound care services have demonstrated the potential to enhance wound conditions, minimize infection risks, and reduce unnecessary hospital admissions.

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