The Eucomed Advanced Wound Care Sector Group
The Eucomed Advanced Wound Care Sector Group (AWCS) was established in 2007 as a sub group of Eucomed, the branch organisation for medical device companies in Europe. EWMA has been part of the group in an advisory role since the establishement, representing the point of view of the clinicians in the group.
The Eucomed AWCS Group puts focus on issues such as health economy in wound care, European reimbursement regulation, evidence in wound care and political recognition of the specific conditions related to wound care.
By this collaboration, EWMA aims to enhance its political strength and efforts to develop European wound management.
More information about Eucomed can be found at www.eucomed.org
Current & recent activities:
- Wound care event during the Med Tech week in Brussels - 6 October 2009
In cooperation with EWMA, the AWCS group arranged an awareness event on wound care during the Med Tech Week in Brussels. The event was held on 6 October 2009.
The event consisted of a lunch debate, co-hosted by MEP Françoise Grossetête (EPP-ED, France) and MEP Antonyia Parvanova (ALDE, Bulgaria), and a number of meetings between MEPs and delegations consisting of representatives from EWMA, industry and the patients.
The lunch debate attracted over 40 participants from various sectors, including health associations and industry, representatives from national permanent representations, members of the European Parliament and members of the European Commission. It generated a positive discussion that will certainly contribute to the effectiveness of future policies
The over all aim of the event was to advocate in favour of an increased role in EU policy in improving patient access to quality treatment and improving health outcomes within wound care.
Eucomed AWCS and EWMA also hope that this event will contribute to a better understanding between European decision makers, the medical industry, patients and civil society in relation to the continued development of wound management.
Further information:
Eucomed AWCS Policy Paper
Background document: Council Recommendation on patient safety In collaboration with EWMA, the Eucomed AWCS group has decided to initiate a survey on "Prevalence of wounds in general & cost impact in the two treatment settings - hospital and home care".
The group plans to carry out a pilot study in three European countries and hope that more countries will be interested in contributing to this European data collection project when the study design for the pilot studies has been finalised.
The EWMA Secretariat will be happy to answer any question about the survey - Article on The resource impact of wounds on health-care providers in Europe
Publication in Journal of Wound Care, Vol 18, No 4, April 2009
In collaboration with the Eucomed Advanced Wound Care Sector group (Eucomed AWCS), EWMA has taken part in the publication of a paper in the Journal of Wound Care April 2009 on ‘The resource impact of wounds on health-care providers in Europe’, based on a screening of existing wound care studies in the European countries. The paper indicates the severe economic impact that problem wounds have on health care systems and underlines the need to create further evidence to support this.
An extended summary has been forwarded to the EWMA Cooperating Organisations with an invitation to translate and publish the article or use it in relation to national activities on policy making etc.
The full article can be found at www.journalofwoundcare.com
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