A new concept of a multidisciplinary wound healing center and a national expert function of wound healing

Hypothesis: An independent, multidisciplinary wound healing center in an ac cepted national expert function of wound healing is the optimal way to impr ove prophylaxis and treatment of patients with problem wounds. Design: A clinical perspective analysis. Setting: An independent, multidisciplinary wound healing center focusing on all types of problem wounds, organized as a university hospital department , and integrated in an expert function in the national health care organiza tion of Denmark. Patients and Methods: Patients with all types of problem wounds referred to and treated in the center during the first years of its existence provided a model for a new multidisciplinary structure for treatment of wound patie nts in the health care system. Results: During the first 3 years of the fully functioning wound healing ce nter, a total of 23 802 patient consultations were performed in the outpati ent clinic, and 1014 patients with problem wounds were hospitalized in the inpatient ward. The surgical concept of the center has resulted in improved healing rates in patients with leg ulcers and decreased rates of major amp utations. The outpatient function has resulted in a decrease in the number of patients transported in beds to the center. This structure provides bett er opportunities for basic and clinical research as well as for establishin g expert education for all types of health care personnel. The center's str ucture has been the background for establishing an expert function in wound healing, allowing the wound healing area area to be fully integrated in th e Danish National Health Care System. Overall, the concept and structure of the center have enhanced the knowledge and understanding of wound problems and increased the status of wound healing and patient care. Conclusions: Establishing multidisciplinary centers integrated into an acce pted national expert function of wound healing is an optimal way to improve the clinical outcome of prophylaxis and treatment of all types of problem wounds. This model, with minor adjustments, may be applicable for both indu strialized and developing countries.