Authors: (including presenting author): :
Chan WH(1)(2), Leung CK(1)(2)
Affiliation: :
(1) Department of Surgery, Yan Chai Hospital, (2) Stoma and Wound Care Clinic, Yan Chai Hospital
Keyword 1: :
Portable NPWT
Keyword 2: :
Patient-Centric Model
Keyword 3: :
Large Cavity Wounds
Introduction: :
The management of large cavity wounds places a significant burden on Hospital Authority outpatient services, requiring frequent patient attendance and consuming clinical resources. This project introduces an innovative, patient-centric model of care that leverages portable Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) technology to decentralize treatment from the clinic to the patient's home.
Objectives: :
This pilot study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a portable, canister-based NPWT system as a scalable solution for managing large cavity wounds. The primary objectives were to assess its impact on clinical outcomes (healing time) and its potential for significant service enhancement by reducing outpatient attendance.
Methodology: :
A prospective case series was conducted with 10 patients. These results were compared against a retrospective control group (n=10) with similar wounds managed by traditional dressings. The intervention group was trained to use the portable NPWT system at home, with weekly clinic follow-up. The result were evaluated by tracking well-defined endpoints: median healing time, wound volume reduction, and the number of outpatient visits.
Result & Outcome: :
Results: The study demonstrated a clear clinical and service enhancement. The portable NPWT group achieved a median healing time of 48 days, significantly faster than the control group's 75 days. This accelerated healing was coupled with a dramatic reduction in service burden, with the intervention group requiring 58% fewer outpatient appointments (range: 29%-86%). All patients reported high satisfaction, highlighting the applicability and patient-centric nature of this home-based model. Conclusion: This portable NPWT system represents a paradigm shift from traditional facility-based wound care. It offers a dual benefit: enhancing clinical outcomes while simultaneously improving service efficiency. As a readily adoptable and highly scalable program, it presents a creative and effective strategy to alleviate pressure on HA outpatient resources. These compelling preliminary results provide a strong foundation for a larger-scale Randomized Controlled.
