The prevalence of patients with chronic wounds continues to grow year-on-year and this places a substantial burden on health care resources. It is estimated that the NHS treats more than 2.2 million wounds annually, equating to 4.5% of the adult population, and the total cost of managing these wounds and associated co-morbidities is calculated to be £5.3 billon per year (Guest et al, 2015). However, it has been recognised that there are considerable unwarranted
variations in wound care services across the UK and that standardising practices offers opportunities to improve healing rates, reduce patient suffering and provide cost efficiencies
(NWCSP, 2020). In 2019 the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence published medical technologies guidance in relation to the UrgoStart treatment range. The committee reviewed five empirical
research papers, three of which were randomised controlled clinical trials. The committee critically appraised the publications and concluded that there was evidence to support the case
for adopting the UrgoStart treatment range to treat patients with diabetic foot ulcers and venous leg ulcers in the NHS, as the use of the UrgoStart treatment range was found to be associated
with increased rates of wound healing when compared with non-interactive dressings. Furthermore, they suggested that using the UrgoStart treatment range as part of the overall
management of diabetic foot ulcers and venous leg ulcers could reduce costs for the NHS.
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