About the CAWC
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Information for facilities

Are You a Member of the Media?

A few years ago, the Canadian Association of Wound Care (CAWC) funded a study to determine the extent of chronic wounds in Canada. The results of the study, by Drs. Gail Woodbury and Pamela Houghton, indicated that the prevalence of pressure ulcers was 25% in acute care, 30% in non-acute care, 22% in mixed health-care settings, and 15% in community care¹. The mean prevalence overall was 26%.

These figures translate into untold patient suffering, caregiver anguish, extra work for health-care providers, and millions spent in health-care dollars—all for a largely preventable condition.

This is clearly a problem that needs attention, and the CAWC created an awareness program on pressure ulcers to address it.

To properly develop and implement the program, the CAWC ran a pilot in five facilities across the country, which was completed in September 2006. The results from our initial pilot and from the facilities currently implementing the program indicate that the CAWC's Pressure Ulcer Awareness and Prevention program can make a difference in preventing pressure ulcers!

Media Documents
CAWC Backgrounder (PDF)
Pressure Ulcers Backgrounder (PDF)
News Release - November 18, 2006 (PDF)

For more information, please contact:
info@preventpressureulcers.ca

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Overall Program Objectives

The aim of the CAWC’s Pressure Ulcer Awareness program is to promote practice change through a multi-layered program that:
1)  Advocates for administrative support for a positive change in culture within the facility
2)  Provides educational tools and materials necessary to promote the ideals of best practice
3)  Empowers patients and their families to understand how their involvement in patient care can help reduce the development of pressure ulcers
4)  Provides impetus for government and health officials to create policies that will support activities and processes that will reduce pressure ulcers nationwide

Reference
1. Woodbury MG, Houghton PE. Prevalence of pressure ulcers in Canadian health-care settings. Ostomy/Wound Management. 2004;50(10):22-38. [read article - PDF - reprinted with the kind permission of Ostomy/Wound Management]