A guideline on venous leg ulcer diagnosis and treatment was developed by a research team from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pa., in collaboration with an interdisciplinary panel of wound care clinicians. Working from a consensus statement based on a literature review, the authors developed preliminary algorithms, which were reviewed by a national advisory panel. The draft guideline was prepared, and the authors now seek national peer review to address whether it is clinically relevant, useful, and represents current practice. The entire diagnostic draft guideline was published in the April issue of Ostomy/Wound Management; the entire treatment draft guideline in the May issue. After peer review and pilot testing, the guideline will be modified and validated in prospective clinical trials.
Published here are asummary of the draft guideline(prepared by Diane K. Langemo, PhD, RN, Professor of Nursing at the University of North Dakota College of Nursing, Grand Forks, N.D.), thedraft algorithms,andcommentaries from five reviewerscontacted by Advances in Wound Care. Readers are encouraged to respond to the guideline and the commentaries.
Responses should be sent to Maryanne McGuckin, DrScEd, MT (ASCP), University of Pennsylvania, Ralston House, Room 315, Dept. AWC, 3615 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19104-2676.
[ADV WOUND CARE 1996;9(4):18-26]
