Publications
The AWMA will make available from time to time various documents that pertain to the management of the Association or recommendations for clinical practice relating to the care of patients with wounds. Currently available for downloading from this site are
- Standards for Wound Management
- Australian and New Zealand Clinical Practice Guideline for Prevention and Management of Venous Leg Ulcers
- Pan Pacific Clinical Practice Guideline for the Prevention and Management of Pressure Injury
- Prevention and Treatment of Pressure Ulcers: Clinical Practice Guideline (2014 International Guideline)
- Managing Wounds as a Team
- Telehealth Framework Document
- Bacterial impact on wound healing: From contamination to infection
- AWMA Inventory of Wound/Skin Care products and devices
Updated Pressure Injury Classifications more…
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Click here to provide us with information regarding education you have delivered that incorporates or is based on AWMA publications
Standards for Wound Management
Written standards of care provide a framework for clinical practice grounded in theory. The Standards for Wound Management aim to provide a foundation for promoting best practice in wound management to maintain and improve quality care outcomes for persons with a wound or potential wound. Organisations, institutions and individuals can use the Standards to lead clinical practice and guide the development of policies, procedures, tools and education programs.
AWMA released the first edition of the Standards in 2002. Whilst there are many similarities with the 2002 Standards, this revised and expanded 2nd edition includes a new Standard and increased detail concerning assessment and practice. Underpinning the Standards the evidence base has been updated to reflect contemporary practice and expectations. All wound practitioners are encouraged to obtain a copy of the Standards for Wound Management 2nd Edition.
The Standards are currently available as a free downloadable PDF file or in a professionally printed booklet . The document can be ordered in hard copy by using the downloadable order form. This document is sold at a minimal cost that covers the costs of printing and distribution.
To cite the Standards:
Australian Wound Management Association, Standards For Wound Management , West Leederville WA, Cambridge Publishing, 2010
Standards for Wound Management
Compendium to Wound Standards for Wound Management
Australian and New Zealand Clinical Practice Guideline for Prevention and Management of Venous Leg Ulcers
This guideline was developed by the Australian Wound Management Association and the New Zealand Wound Care Society. The guideline presents a comprehensive review of the assessment, diagnosis, management and prevention of venous leg ulcers within the Australian and New Zealand health care context, based on the best evidence available up to January 2011.
This guideline has been approved by The National Health & Medical Research Council and The New Zealand Guideline Group.
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Patient information sheets
Please download and use the following information to assist in patient education.
Brief summary of VLU presentation and management The same information is available in two formats:
A4
Trifold
Detailed information on various aspects of VLU presentation, management and prevention Three comprehensive information sheets are available inA4 on the following topics:
What is a VLU?
Managing VLU
Preventing VLU
Pan Pacific Clinical Practice Guideline for the Prevention and Management of Pressure Injury
The Clinical Practice Guideline for the Prevention and Management of Pressure Injury has been developed by the Australian Wound Management Association (AWMA) and its subcommittee the Australian Pressure Injury Advisory Panel in partnership with independent, multidisciplinary experts throughout Australia and the New Zealand Wound Care Society, the Nursing Service, Ministry of Health, Singapore and Hong Kong Enterotomal Therapists Association.
Diagrams of Pressure Injury Stages are available in JPG format
Click here to view and download
Photos of Pressure Injury Stages are available in JPG format
Click here to view and download
Flow charts are available in JPG and PDF formats
Click here to view and download
Prevention and Treatment of Pressure Ulcers: Clinical Practice Guideline
Prevention and Treatment of Pressure Ulcers: Clinical Practice Guideline is the result of a collaborative effort among the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP), European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (EPUAP) and Pan Pacific Pressure Injury Alliance (PPPIA).
Click here for more information and downloads
Managing Wounds as a Team
Accessing the variety of health care services required by people living with a wound can be a complex and often confusing experience. Similar challenges are frequently faced by health care personnel as they seek to navigate the many referral processes to coordinate a package of services for a client. Whilst the term interdisciplinary care is frequently used in wound management literature, detailed descriptions and pragmatic solutions for the implementation and operation of these are frequently missing. Questions such as; "how is time allocated to team meetings?", "how should funding models be changed to accommodate a team approach?", "can varied access to a medical record be achieved?" or "what facilitates mutual respect in the team?" are often not addressed. The Managing Wounds as a Team position document attempts to address such deficits. It has been developed as a collaboration between the AAWC, AWMA, and EWMA and is aimed at providing pragmatic advise for clinicians wishing to enhance the interdisciplinary nature of the service provided to the client.
AWMA Telehealth Framework Document
In accordance with a request from some international groups the AWMA Educational and Professional Development Sub-committee (EPDSC) has developed guidelines for consideration when establishing a telehealth wound program.
The document covers areas where special considerations may need to be undertaken. Although the technological requirements are area specific, some suggestions have been provided. The areas of co- ordination, barriers and consent, together with an example of a consent form may assist clinicians when considering establishment of such a service in their area.
The funding of such models of care does and will most likely for some time remain unclear and require more specific guidelines in the future. AWMA provides this document as a framework to help in the delivery of clinical services to remote and rural patients.
Australian Wound Management Association
Telehealth Framework Document
Bacterial impact on wound healing: From contamination to infection
Wound infection is a significant issue. Wound infection results in impaired healing, increased hospitalisation, increased health care costs, loss of productivity, pain, inconvenience and, sometimes morbidity or even mortality. This Position Document is a guide for practitioners and service providers in identification and management of wound infection. The document is a consensus paper of the Australian Wound Management Association – not a comprehensive literature review. However, it is based on contemporary literature and other, existing international guidelines on the topic.
This Position Document provides guidelines for practice that aid in identification and treatment wound infection to promote optimal outcomes. It includes recommendations directed at practitioners, service providers and the health system to promote efficient, effective and consistent management of wound infection. Practitioners and service providers are encouraged to incorporate the principles and recommendations within the Position Document into local policies, practices and frameworks. With consistent diligence and practices, the costly and incapacitating scourge of wound infection can be contained to improve outcomes for the patient, their wound and the health system.
This Position Document underwent minor review and update in October 2011.
Bacterial impact on wound healing: Covering Letter
Bacterial impact on wound healing: From contamination to infection
Inventory of Wound/Skin Care products and devices
Recommendation by Australian Wound Management Association (AWMA)
for Residential Care Facilities
Background
The residential aged care standards: Aged Care Assessment and Approval Guidelines – September 2006
include a recommendation for residents receiving high level care with regard to medical and pharmaceutical supplies.
Inventory of Wound/Skin Care products and devices