The EWMA Compression Therapy Campaign

The EWMA Compression Therapy Campaign was initiated in 2020 and aims to increase the use and access of compression therapy to reduce harm and optimise treatment. Many people are not receiving this valuable therapy, and this is an important patient safety issue to focus on. To support these goals, we wish to raise awareness that:

• Compression is a powerful evidence-based therapy, and patients have a right to receive it!
• Introducing compression therapy early can speed up healing in most lower leg wounds.
• Compression therapy is powerfully effective and can be simple to use.
• Compression therapy should be used and understood by nurses, doctors and allied health professionals.
• Compression therapy helps in pain control and improve the quality of life.

The main objectives with the Campaign are to: 

• Focus on an important patient safety issue.
• Reach out to primary care services. 
• Raise awareness about the role of compression therapy as a multi-comorbid and not just for venous leg ulcers. 
• Understand and raise awareness about the human factors influencing the use of compression therapy. 
• Examine and influence the language of compression therapy to support change in clinical practice.
• Support positive messaging to reduce the fear factor surrounding compression therapy.

The EWMA Compression Therapy Campaign is developed by an Expert Group in collaboration with several national and international organisations engaged in wound management and is kindly supported by unrestricted grants from several wound care companies. These are listed on the campaign home page.