Survey confirms T.I.M.E. as the most frequently used wound assessment tool as Smith & Nephew further strengthens commitment to help improve the consistency of wound care

Smith & Nephew (NYSE:SNN; LSE:SN), the global medical technology business, today announced the results of a survey revealing that 57% of respondents use the T.I.M.E. (Tissue, Inflammation, Moisture, Edges) wound assessment tool. Published in Wounds International, the survey was conducted amongst nearly 200 wound care specialists from 52 countries attending the European Wound Management Association (EWMA) Conference in May 2018.¹

The survey also demonstrated that there is still significant variation in wound care practice amongst nurses. More than a third of respondents did not routinely use wound assessment tools and there is considerable variability in clinical practice.¹ A previous study has also shown that clinical and economic benefits could accrue from improved systems of care.²

“T.I.M.E. remains the most frequently used wound assessment framework.” said Professor Karen Ousey, lead author and Director at the Institute of Skin Integrity and Infection Prevention. “However, the survey also confirms that variation in practice still exists, and more work is needed to validate practical ways of implementing wound assessment tools and therapeutic decisions in clinical practice and reduce variability in outcomes.”                               

The T.I.M.E. framework was first developed by an international group of wound healing experts to provide a structured approach to wound bed preparation.^3,4 The T stands for tissue non-viable, I for infection and/or inflammation, M for moisture imbalance and E for edges of wound non-advancing. Early in 2018, Smith & Nephew launched T.I.M.E. plan-on-a-page (POP), a tool designed to aid clinicians in their routine decision-making around chronic wounds to help them improve consistency in daily practice.

“Reducing variation in practice is key to improving outcomes. This means consistently getting the most appropriate treatment and technology, to the right person, at the right time, in the right place.” said Paolo Di Vincenzo, Smith & Nephew’s Senior Vice President Global Marketing,  Advanced Wound Management. “This is why we have collaborated with expert and experienced practitioners and researchers to develop the new T.I.M.E. POP, which is an easier and improved way to implement T.I.M.E.^3,4 in routine daily practice more broadly to help reduce practice variation.”

To learn more about the survey results please visit http://www.smith-nephew.com/time/

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About Smith & Nephew

Smith & Nephew is a global medical technology business dedicated to helping healthcare professionals improve people's lives. With leadership positions in Orthopaedic Reconstruction, Advanced Wound Management, Sports Medicine and Trauma & Extremities, Smith & Nephew has around 15,000 employees and a presence in more than 100 countries. Annual sales in 2017 were almost $4.8 billion. Smith & Nephew is a member of the FTSE100 (LSE:SN, NYSE:SNN).

For more information about Smith & Nephew, please visit our website www.smith-nephew.com, follow @SmithNephewplc on Twitter or visit SmithNephewplc on Facebook.com.

To learn more about how we can help you get CLOSER TO ZERO™ delay in wound healing, please visit www.closertozero.com

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