title: Development of a content-validated venous ulcer guideline.
abstract: Evidence-based practice for venous ulcers may improve healing and reduce costs of care. The Association for the Advancement of Wound Care Government and Regulatory Task Force developed a content-validated venous ulcer guideline based on best available evidence supporting each aspect of venous ulcer care. After compiling all-inclusive lists of elements in venous ulcer algorithms published before August 2002, the Task Force objectively rated and summarized up to five best references from MEDLINE, CINAHL, and EMBASE literature searches covering each aspect of care. Sixteen multidisciplinary wound care professionals and educators used judgment quantification to content validate all steps. A 2004 email survey of AAWC members (N = 1,514) clarified effects of under-reimbursement on evidence-based venous practice. The Venous Ulcer Guideline containing all elements with A-level evidence plus those with a Content Validity Index >0.75 now resides on the AAWC and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality National Guideline Clearinghouse websites. However, a review of US healthcare environment components, including reimbursement policies, and the results of the survey identified many barriers to implementation of A-level evidence supported steps (sustained graduated high compression, autolytic debridement, and moist wound environments) in practice. Sufficient evidence supports improved venous ulcer care in the US but inadequate and/or inconsistent reimbursement policies impede quality evidence-based venous ulcer practice, delaying healing and increasing the burden of venous ulcers on society.
authors.affiliation: University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA. lbolton@gmail.com
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bolton
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Corbett
authors.forename: Laurie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bernato
authors.forename: Peggy
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dotson
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Laraus
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Merkle
authors.forename: Gregory
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Patterson
authors.forename: Tania
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: McNees
authors.forename: Peggy Porter
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Riedesel
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sheehan
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D006278:Medicare; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012051:Reimbursement Mechanisms; D014481:United States; D014647:Varicose Ulcer / Q000628:therapy*