Diagnostics Masterclass: Current And Future Perspectives

A one-day advanced wound care masterclass, aimed at creating awareness of the importance of effective and efficient diagnosis and assessment. The event was sponsored by Systagenix Wound Management.

Predicting where to cut and what will heal: a surgeon's view
Peter Vowden, Bradford, UK discusses the need for simple cost-effective diagnostic tools to be available to assist in the management of both acute and chronic wounds.
The need for better assessment and diagnosis in wounds: the nurse’s view
Kathryn Vowden, Bradford, UK discusses that while nurses have a vast array of wound care products available to them, they often lack the diagnostic framework to know which product to use, when and for how long.
MMPs as diagnostic tools for chronic wound healing
Professor Greg Schultz, Florida, USA, focuses on the role MMPs in wound healing and the need for a point of care indicator that measures the levels of MMPs in wounds.
Measurement of physical parameters of wounds
Mr Robert Warr, Bristol, UK, looks at existing technology and potential for objective wound analysis. He emphasises the need to recognise the strengths and limitations of wound parameters and the need for improved instrumentation in this area.
Wound nitric oxide bioactivity: a diagnostic indicator for healing
Dr Joseph Boykin, Richmond, USA, discusses the potential for wound nitric oxide to be a wound healing biomarker or surrogate endpoint for DFU treatment.
VAscular assessment methodologies
Dr Jon Evans, Cardiff, UK, provides an overview of the various methodologies for vascular assessment, including ABPI, TBPI, photoplethysmography, Doppler and Duplex ultrasound.
Diagnostic methods for wound infection
Professor Valerie Edward-Jones, Manchester, UK, focuses on traditional diagnostic methods for wound infection and problems with interpretation. Modern diagnostic methods are reviewed including molecular diagnostics.
POC diagnostic development and its future in wound care
Dr Douglas Queen, Cardiff, UK, picks up on the work of Professor Paul Davies and discusses how wound diagnostics can build on some of the innovative thinking and development behind pregancy point of care tests.
The need to link diagnostic tools with selected treatments
Dr Breda Cullen, Skipton, UK, focuses on how predictive markers could revolutionise wound care and improve clinical efficacy by linking the right therapy to the right wound at the right time.
Impact of diagnostic tools on the economics of wound care
Professor David Armstrong, Arizona, USA, joined the masterclass by video link to discuss the importance of diagnostics to better define success in healing and prevention. This will have an important impact on the economics of wound care.