Healthcare saves up to 30% with new approach to complex woundsÂ
On average, patients require 30% fewer treatment days if hospitals follow the TOP (Transmural on Path) wound care program by Mediq CombiCare*. Close collaboration between hospital health care professionals and homecare organizations leads to patients with complex wounds healing sooner. Furthermore, up to 30% are saved on the costs of wound care material. Last evening, the IJsselland Hospital in Capelle aan den IJssel, the Netherlands, opened a specialist wound center based on the TOP method.
Intensive care nursing specialist, Karin Timm from the outpatient dermatology clinic at the IJsselland Hospital, has already been working with the TOP wound care program for a number of years. "TOP is clear for all care professionals involved when a patient makes the transition from hospital care to homecare, or when a patient receiving homecare is referred to the outpatient clinic. TOP uses a clear transmural treatment protocol and care pathway. The care pathway describes the patient’s treatment from start to finish, while the patient receives unambiguous information and consistent quality of care throughout all phases of care. This allows us to transfer patients over to homecare with confidence. The opening of the TOP-based specialist wound center will help improve care further still for patients with complex wounds."
This wound care is complex. Transferring a patient who has a complex wound, such as an open leg wound, from hospital care to homecare requires carefully coordinated protocols. With the TOP wound care program, which is a Mediq CombiCare initiative, continuity and quality of wound care under the direction of the patient’s physician or nursing specialist is guaranteed. Clear agreements and close cooperation between the hospital and homecare, a list of medical aids and the education of the care professionals involved lead to verifiable improvement of the treatment of complex wounds.
Mediq CombiCare forms part of Mediq, working together with care professionals internationally to improve initiatives and efficiency within the care sector. TOP is one of these initiatives and making a real difference. The reaction from healthcare professionals has been unsurprisingly positive.
Eric Geurts, managing director at Mediq CombiCare: "The patient is central to the TOP scheme. He or she is guaranteed continuity of care, no longer needs to visit the hospital for every treatment and recovers more quickly. In addition, thanks to TOP, the cost of both materials and treatment falls."
Mediq CombiCare is the market leader in stoma, continence and wound care materials and has been in partnerships with hospitals and healthcare professionals for over 15 years.
*Management data from Mediq CombiCare shows that a transmural approach to wound care can lead to a 30% reduction in treatment days, as well as a saving of 30% on wound care materials. Savings are even more significant if the cost for treating wounds is also taken into account.