A Silverchain-led research paper on the cost of wound care in Australia has been recognised at this year’s Wounds Australia Literary Awards.
The paper titled ‘Determining the Cost of Wound Care in Australia’ was awarded Best Original Research Article and was co-authored by Professor Keryln Carville, Australia’s pre-eminent wound care expert, and Silverchain’s Professor of Primary Health Care and Community Nursing.
The paper resulted from an Australian Health Research Alliance (AHRA) National Wounds Initiative Project that was coordinated by the WA Health Translation Network in partnership with Silverchain.
Data from more than 21,000 clients with more than 49,000 wounds treated by Silverchain in Western Australia, Queensland and South Australia during the 2020-2021 financial year was used to determine the mean and median costs of consumables (dressing packs, solutions, dressings, devices, instruments, bandages, wraps) and the nurse time expended to treat these wounds.
This data was then used to model the costs to treat all wounds identified in patient surveys that were conducted in a sample of tertiary and secondary hospitals, residential aged care facilities and general practice settings.
“It is encouraging to know that research such as this is able to provide data that contributes to more equitable access to care, which will have a positive impact on people with wounds.”
Professor Carville was among those honoured with 2023 literary awards, presented at an event as part of the Wounds Australia Conference, held in Brisbane last week.
The runner-up in the Original Research Article category was the paper titled ‘International Stakeholder Survey to Inform the Development of a Pacific Clinical Guideline on Venous Leg Ulcer Prevention and Management’. This paper, co-authored by Professor Carville, other clinicians and a consumer, outlined the findings of an international consumer survey that informed the upcoming Pan Pacific Venous Leg Ulcer Guidelines.
“This work highlights the importance of international collaboration and consumer input in addressing global wound care challenges,” Professor Carville said.
In the Literature Review/Clinical Practice category, Professor Carville was part of a nine-person team of clinicians and researchers that secured first place for their paper titled ‘Assessment, Management, and Prevention of Chronic Wounds in the Australian Context: A Scoping Review’.
This paper resulted from another AHRA project that scoped and provided a comprehensive overview of the existing research on chronic wounds in Australia, identifying gaps and guiding future work in this critical area of health care.
Silverchain’s National Director Research and Evidence Professor Karen Smith OAM said the accolades reflected the dedication, expertise, and leadership that Professor Carville brought to the field of wound care.
"Professor Carville’s research not only advances our understanding of wound management, but also directly improves the lives of patients. We are honoured to have such an accomplished expert leading our efforts to deliver exceptional care," Professor Smith said.
“The awards reaffirm Silverchain’s commitment to research and world-leading wound care.”
