ABSTRACT Acute minor wounds are among the most common injuries encountered in daily life, affecting individuals of all ages and frequently managed in home, pharmacy and primary care settings. Despite their high prevalence and potential for preventable complications, most recommendations focus on chronic or complex wounds, leaving a gap in practical, evidence‐informed guidance for acute minor wounds. This international consensus convened wound care professionals from four continents to develop a pragmatic framework for assessing and managing acute minor wounds across community settings. Based on a structured literature review and a modified e‐Delphi process, the panel produced statements and operational decision tools to support triage, self‐management, reassessment and referral. The consensus delineates boundaries between simple and complex wounds according to depth, contamination, anatomical location, host factors and expected healing trajectory; identifies red flags for escalation; and uses 10 common wound types as practical anchors. Core principles include haemorrhage control, cleansing, protection, moisture balance, tetanus assessment, infection prevention and communication with people with wounds. This consensus provides a practical and internationally adaptable guide for the safer management of acute minor wounds, aiming to reduce avoidable complications, delays in escalation and unnecessary healthcare utilization.
ABSTRACT Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a serious and common complication of diabetes, primarily affecting the plantar surface and toes. They are associated with high rates of recurrence, amputation and mortality, making effective treatment strategies essential. This review explores the current landscape of offloading methods and rehabilitation wearable boots used in DFU management, with an emphasis on clinical efficacy, patient adherence and the integration of emerging technologies. Total contact casts (TCCs), the gold standard, achieve healing rates exceeding 80%–90% but face limited adoption due to discomfort, stigma, and lifestyle disruption. Meta‐analyses indicate that custom orthotics may reduce ulcer recurrence by up to 50% compared with standard footwear, although the magnitude of benefit varies across studies. In contrast, recent advances in smart wearable devices, multimodal sensors, custom orthotics and AI‐driven adaptive systems demonstrate potential to enhance patient compliance and therapeutic outcomes. Despite the availability of evidence‐based guidelines, a significant gap persists in their consistent application in clinical settings. Bridging this gap requires the development of patient‐centric solutions that integrate technological innovation with usability, comfort and accessibility. This review highlights the need and future for innovative approaches that integrate technology and design to support healing, rehabilitation, adherence and quality of life providing pathways for more effective and sustainable DFU management.
ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to examine existing evidence about undergraduate nursing students' knowledge of and attitudes towards pressure injury prevention. A systematic review of primary qualitative, quantitative, and mixed‐methods studies was conducted and reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A convergent mixed‐methods synthesis was undertaken. Methodological quality was appraised using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, and ERIC were searched on 21 August 2025 for literature published between January 2010 and 21 August 2025. Fifty‐eight studies from 26 countries met the inclusion criteria. Nursing students demonstrated suboptimal knowledge of pressure injury prevention, with mean scores on validated tools (PUKAT/PUKAT 2.0) ranging from 23.5% to 61%, and a pooled mean of 39.2%. Attitudes towards pressure injury prevention were generally positive, with most studies reporting scores > 75% on the APUP instrument and similar tools. Qualitative findings highlighted gaps between theoretical instruction and clinical practice and a need for experiential and simulation‐based learning. Despite positive attitudes, nursing students' knowledge of pressure injury prevention remains inadequate globally. Curriculum redesign incorporating active learning strategies, simulation, and integration of theory with practice is essential.
ABSTRACT Negative pressure wound therapy with instillation and dwell time (NPWTi‐d) and conventional NPWT are established treatments for complex wounds, yet direct comparative evidence remains limited. This retrospective observational study evaluated the clinical effectiveness of NPWTi‐d for hard‐to‐heal necrotic wounds using standardized parameters from our previous research. We included 116 patients (50 NPWTi‐d; 66 conventional NPWT). The primary endpoint was the time from therapy initiation to achieving a ‘reference wound’ suitable for definitive closure, defined in accordance with clinical trial guidance from the Japanese Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA). The NPWTi‐d group achieved reference wound status in a median of 14 days versus 22 days for the conventional NPWT group—a statistically significant 8‐day reduction. Furthermore, whereas conventional NPWT typically requires a prolonged debridement phase prior to application, NPWTi‐d can be initiated earlier, even in the presence of residual necrotic tissue. Ultimately, NPWTi‐d provides a synergistic clinical advantage by both shortening active treatment duration and bypassing pre‐initiation delays, enabling clinicians to achieve surgical readiness significantly faster than with standard modalities.
