Managing chronic, nonhealing wounds stalled in the inflammatory phase: a case series using a novel matrix therapy, CACIPLIQ20.

One of the biggest challenges faced by healthcare providers is the treatment of chronic, non-healing wounds. This paper reports for the first time in the UK the results of five case studies in which a novel regenerating matrix-based therapy, CACIPLIQ20, was used. CACIPLIQ20 is a heparan sulphate mimetic designed to replace the destroyed heparan sulphate in the extracellular matrix of wound cells. All five patients in this case series had chronic, non-healing ulcers that had not improved with conventional care. Treatment included two applications of CACIPLIQ20 per week, for a maximum of 12 weeks. Three of the five wounds healed completely, and the remaining two showed significant improvements in size and quality. The treatment was well tolerated by the patients and also led to a significant reduction in pain. Moreover, CACIPLIQ20 treatment was found to be highly cost-effective when compared to conventional care, with the potential to save healthcare systems significant resources. Further studies are needed to build a strong evidence base on the use of this product, but these preliminary findings are certainly promising.

Improving the monitoring and assessment of fluid balance.

This article reports on a project conducted by final-year students on a preregistration nursing programme. The students explored the potential to improve practice in a clinical area relevant to the trust at which they undertook their clinical placements. It is seen as innovative because it encourages partnership working between the educational institution and the NHS, helps to prepare students for their forthcoming registered nurse status and provides information of real practical value to the trust, enabling it to change and improve an important aspect of care.