Acute wounds, such as burns, lacerations, dehisced wounds, open fractures and amputations, occur suddenly, and change patient’s lives. They can happen to anyone at any time, requiring immediate medical attention and are at risk for further complications. The impact of these wounds can be significant, potentially leading to long-term disability or even life-threatening situations. 

• 5.4% of all emergency department visits are due to traumatic wounds⁵ 
• 3M™ V.A.C.® Therapy demonstrated in comparative clinical studies significant acute wound closure in 1/2 the time with early vs late initiation⁶
• 3M™ Veraflo™ Therapy aids wound management by instilling and dwelling fluid in the wound bed, accompanied by negative pressure therapy⁷

Hard-to-heal wounds such as Venous Leg Ulcers (VLU), Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFU), and conditions like edema and lymphedema present unique challenges due to their persistent nature and the complex care they require. VLUs can significantly impact a person's quality of life, including their physical and emotional well-being.⁸ DFUs are a major concern for individuals with diabetes, leading to severe complications if not managed promptly. Chronic edema and lymphedema can hinder mobility and mental well-being. Our approach focuses on science-based treatments like compression therapy and advanced wound care dressings to improve patient outcomes and enhance their daily lives. 

• Approximately 1% of the western population is affected by VLUs⁹
• 1 million or more diabetic-related amputations occur globally per year¹⁰
• 1 out of 1000 people in the United States and 140 – 250 million people worldwide are affected by lymphedema¹¹

Postoperative complications, such as surgical site infections (SSI), can challenge clinicians with consequences that ripple across care settings, including extended hospital stays, disrupted healing, readmissions and reoperation that impact quality metrics, cost of care and patient outcomes. 

The costly reality of at-risk incisions adds to an increasingly complex healthcare environment. Surgeons are facing unique challenges that can negatively affect outcomes. Effectively reducing the risk of surgical site complications or infections is a priority.

Patients with an SSI:

• Are 6 times more likely to have a 30-day readmission¹²
• Have a 9.58 day longer hospital stay on average¹³
• Have a 2.2 times longer ICU stay on average¹²

Medical Adhesive-Related Skin Injury (MARSI) encompasses a range of preventable conditions such as skin tears, skin stripping, and tension blisters that occur when medical adhesives are chosen, applied, or removed improperly. These injuries can happen during any medical procedure that requires adhesive products and can lead to patient discomfort, delayed healing, and increased care costs. By deepening your understanding of MARSI, you enhance your ability to safeguard your patients against these unnecessary complications. 

• 8% of hospitalized infants and children were found to have tape-related skin stripping¹⁷
• 15.5% of long-term care patients at some point show incidence of skin injury cause by adhesive tape¹⁷
• 41% of hip surgery patients may show tension blisters¹⁷

Moisture-associated skin damage (MASD) is a prevalent issue that compromises skin integrity, the body's primary barrier against microbial invasion and environmental threats. MASD arises from continuous moisture exposure, such as from wound exudate, bodily fluids or perspiration. These can lead to conditions like Incontinence-Associated Dermatitis (IAD), Intertriginous dermatitis (ITD), Peristomal Moisture-Associated Dermatitis and Periwound maceration. These conditions not only heighten the risk of infection but also cause discomfort, pain and pruritus,^18,19 adversely affecting a patient's quality of life and increasing healthcare costs.²⁰ Understanding and addressing MASD is essential for maintaining patient comfort and preventing further skin deterioration. 

• 45.7% potential prevalence of IAD²¹
• 5.1 times more likely to develop a Hospital Acquired Pressure Injury for patients with IAD²¹
• 55.7% more likely to be readmitted to a hospital for patients with peristomal skin complications²²
• Unable to ambulate due to severe pain caused by interdigital intertrigo resulting in severe osteomyelitis²³

Incontinence-Associated Dermatitis (IAD) is a distressing skin condition that occurs in individuals with incontinence, particularly when they experience liquid stools or diarrhea.²⁴ This skin injury, resulting from prolonged contact with urine or feces, can lead to a deeply uncomfortable experience for patients and heighten the likelihood of secondary infections and pressure-related skin damage. IAD is prevalent in both acute and long-term care settings and can inflict significant financial costs on healthcare facilities. Prioritizing the assessment and prevention of IAD is crucial to alleviate patient suffering and reduce the associated healthcare expenses. 

• 41% of nursing home residents have IAD²⁵
• 35% of all incontinence patients in acute care have IAD²⁶