SAWC Spring - Symposium on Advanced Wound Care

Attendees, exhibitors & solutions

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Industry trends

Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.

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Glossary

1

Debridement

Removal of non-viable tissue, slough, eschar, debris or foreign material from a wound by sharp, surgical, enzymatic, autolytic, mechanical or biologic means. Debridement is a recurring theme in SAWC Spring sessions because the choice of method depends on wound aetiology, perfusion, pain tolerance and setting of care.

2

Biofilm

A structured community of microorganisms attached to a surface and embedded in a self-produced matrix, which makes them more tolerant of antibiotics and topical antimicrobials. Clinicians at SAWC Spring discuss when to suspect biofilm in a stalled wound and how to combine debridement with antimicrobial strategy.

3

Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT)

A sealed dressing connected to a pump that applies controlled sub-atmospheric pressure to a wound, removing exudate and promoting granulation. NPWT systems are a regular category in the SAWC exhibition hall, including single-use and traditional canister formats.

4

Cellular and tissue-based products (CTP)

Biologic and skin substitute products - amniotic membrane, placental, dermal matrix and living cell constructs - applied to promote closure in hard-to-heal wounds. SAWC Spring programming and the exhibit hall cover product selection, application technique and the documentation payers require.

5

Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU)

A wound of the foot in a person with diabetes, typically neuropathic, ischaemic or neuroischaemic in origin. DFU care at SAWC Spring is framed around offloading, perfusion assessment, infection control and limb salvage rather than dressings alone.

6

Venous leg ulcer (VLU)

An open wound on the lower leg arising from chronic venous insufficiency and ambulatory venous hypertension. Graduated compression is the cornerstone of treatment, and sessions address compression selection, adherence and when to refer for venous intervention.

7

Pressure injury staging

The classification of pressure-induced tissue damage from stage 1 through stage 4, plus unstageable and deep tissue pressure injury categories. Staging accuracy, risk assessment tools and prevention bundles are standard content for nurses and quality leads attending SAWC Spring.

8

Offloading

Reducing or redistributing mechanical load on a wound, for example with total contact casts, removable walkers, offloading boots, felted padding or repositioning schedules. Offloading decisions are discussed alongside device reimbursement and patient adherence.

9

Compression therapy

The use of multilayer bandages, stockings or wrap systems to apply controlled pressure and support venous return in venous and lymphatic disease. SAWC Spring sessions cover compression levels, contraindications such as inadequate arterial perfusion, and patient self-management.

10

Ankle-brachial index (ABI)

The ratio of ankle systolic pressure to brachial systolic pressure, used to screen for peripheral arterial disease before compression is applied. A low or non-compressible ABI changes the treatment plan, which is why vascular assessment sits early in wound evaluation.

11

TIME framework

A structured approach to wound bed preparation: Tissue management, Infection or inflammation control, Moisture balance, and Edge advancement. It is used in SAWC Spring education as a checklist for why a wound is not progressing.

12

Periwound skin

The skin immediately surrounding a wound. Maceration, erythema, eczema, excoriation and induration in this zone often signal excess moisture, infection or an ill-fitting dressing, and are assessed alongside wound measurements.

13

Limb salvage

Coordinated vascular, podiatric, infectious disease, plastic surgery and wound care management aimed at avoiding major amputation. SAWC Spring brings these disciplines together because salvage outcomes depend on referral speed and revascularisation timing.

14

Slough and eschar

Slough is soft, moist devitalised tissue; eschar is dry, adherent necrotic tissue. Both reduce the clinician's ability to assess wound depth and can harbour infection, so their presence drives debridement decisions and product selection.

15

Wound measurement and documentation

Serial tracing, photography and structured notes that record area, depth, exudate, tissue type and pain. Accurate documentation supports clinical trend assessment and the medical necessity arguments that payers require for advanced wound products.