“The ABCESS System for Chronic Wound Management: A New Acronym for Lower Extremity Wound Management.”
Healthy wound healing is complex. Wound healing with one or more co-morbidities is even more complex- but not impossible. In the past we were guided by T.I.M.E, and now it is time for A.B.C.E.S.S. Pioneered by Dr. James McGuire, DPM, PT of Temple University, we are equipped with a comprehensive methodology to address all variables of wound healing to generate positive outcomes for patients, that is, wounds that close- and stay closed.
The second S is for “Social, societal, and spiritual factors, to include assessment of the immediate social environment, societal limiting factors, and personal issues affecting wound care.”
And last but not least, it is important to incorporate key components of the patient’s social, societal, and spiritual beliefs into his or her treatment plan in order to enable complete closure of the chronic wound. A comprehensive and effective treatment plan can be made only after the clinician understands, 1) the limitations of the patient’s immediate social environment, 2) the larger societal limiting factors experienced by the patient, and 3) any personal issues that can negatively impact wound care.
However, placing the responsibility of patient compliance, adherence, and or cooperation squarely on the clinician’s shoulders is overwhelming and impractical. Activities such as eating a balanced diet, incorporating daily exercise, adhering to medication, and scheduling regular doctor visits can be derailed by numerous factors outside of the treating physician’s control. Therefore, an alliance among clinicians, their patients, and other community caregivers, should be made to ensure that the wound healing plan can be successfully followed.
Furthermore, the needs of patients with chronic wounds can span areas outside the scope of the treating physician. For example, patients could have additional challenges with “pain and immobility, sleep disturbance, lack of energy, limitations in work and leisure activities, worries and frustrations, and a lack of self-esteem.” In these cases, referring the patient to appropriate specialists, including those offering psychological or spiritual help, may need to be incorporated into the successful treatment plan.
Click here to read the full A.B.C.E.S.S. article.
Thank you for tuning into the ABCESS blog series, and we hope you found these summaries helpful!