CAN-WISE (Canadian Wound Program Information, Services, and Evaluation): A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Canadian Acute Care Wound Management Programs

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to map acute wound care programs across Canada, assess the accessibility and availability of their services, and identify the presence of structured program elements. Through the evaluation of program strengths and opportunities for improvement, the study seeks to provide insights to inform future initiatives aimed at enhancing the quality and effectiveness of acute care wound care services within Canada. METHODS: This study utilized a cross-sectional survey design. Responses were collected from 34 acute care facilities across 7 provinces. RESULTS: Results of this study provide insight into the following 21 aspects of Canadian acute care wound management programs: facility composition, wound care staffing, staff education, services provided, equipment, guideline and assessment utilization, language diversity, cultural competence, research engagement, initiatives and strategies for improved outcomes, documentation tools, technology, promotion of patient adherence, outcome monitoring, pain management, strengths and opportunities for improvement, quality improvement initiatives, patient and family engagement, staffing and follow-up rates, facility collaboration, and program lead professional activities. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this survey provide an overview of the accessibility and availability of wound care services within Canadian acute care facilities, demonstrating strengths and opportunities for improvement. The data collected from this study will be utilized to inform future initiatives to improve acute care wound management services across Canada.