Integrating Technology Into Wound Care:  A Toolkit for the Clinician
The preconference workshop is designed to introduce the clinician to new advances in wound care diagnosis and therapies. New devices and therapies are better understood with the ability to apply a real time model in a hands-on manner. Join us as we explore the application possibilities of the newest and hottest technologies on today’s market. 

• Compare and contrast the techniques of assessment of wounds and monitoring of healing.
• Describe the return on investment for adoption of wound assessment and monitoring technology.
• Identify potential barriers to overcome for integration of new technology into practice.

Welcome and Introductions

Diagnostic and Wound Assessment Parameters and Tools: An Overview
with Laura Swoboda, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, CWOCN-AP

• General assessments
• Significance of objective metrics for diagnosis and to monitor healing

Integrating Technology Into Practice: Persuading to Overcome Barriers
Panel with moderator Naz Wahab, MD, FAPWCA

• Gregory Bohn, MD, UHM/ABPM, MAPWCA, FACHM, FAAWC 
• Kara Couch, MS, CRNP, CWCN-AP, FAAWC
• Jeffrey Niezgoda, MD

Application of Skills
Attendees will rotate through up to ten technology stations, for hands-on experience with new tools, including the following technologies: 

• Aroabio - ECM; Bioscaffold technology
• Advanced O2 Therapy - Two2; Multimodal (O2, compression, humidification) topical oxygen therapy
• iWound - Digitalizing wound care  with face scan vitals,  3D AI & deep learning technology
• Kent Imaging - Snapshot NIR; Tissue oxygenation imaging
• MolecuLight - Point-of-care detection of elevated bacterial loads (>10⁴ CFU/g) and digital wound measurement & tracking 
• Net Health Tissue Analytics - Specialized EHR software and analytics
• Reapplix - 3CPatch; Autologous combined leukocyte, platelet and fibrin
• StiehlTech, LLC - Perilav; Portable pulsatile irrigation

8:15am - 9:15am 

Opening Keynote:
Seeing the Real Wound Status with Technology
with Prof. Dr. Sebastian Probst
President, European Wound Management Association (EWMA)

Objectives:

1. Describe the evolution of technology being used in wound care.
2. Identify opportunities to improve personal clinical practice by implementing new technology in wound care.
3. Compare and contrast barriers to implementation of wound care technology worldwide.
4. Hear what EWMA is doing.

Technology Update: Micro and Macro Assessment of Perfusion
with Alisha Oropallo, MD FACS, FSVS, FAPWCA, FABWMS, and Charles Andersen, MD, FACS, FAPWCA
This session will examine innovations in the assessment and management of macro and microperfusion abnormalities that accompany venous and arterial disease. Discover what's new and when to use these in clinical practice. 

Topical Oxygen: Where Does It fit in Your Practice?
with Gregory Bohn, MD, UHM/ABPM, MAPWCA, FACHM, FAAWC, and Naz Wahab, MD, FAPWCA
The role that oxygen plays in wound healing becomes more apparent as research into its mechanism of action identifies critical pathways of action. The development of portable units that deliver oxygen topically to a wound have been demonstrated to be effective. Understanding the differences between the available technologies is important to a wound care clinician and may help in choosing the best modality to achieve specific clinical outcomes.

Satellite Symposium 1: Technology of the Foot Defender
with Jason Hanft, DPM, and Michael DiTullo
The process behind the Foot Defender an innovative new product that helps to heal diabetic foot wounds. They will dig into some of the macro trends in consumerization in tech and medical devices that led to the key nights behind the Foot Defender.

1. Describe the concept of offloading of the foot.  
2. Identify the role  of consumerization to engage patients in adhering to plan of care. 
3. Compare and contrast offloading devices commercially available.

Advances in Addressing the Wound and Skin Microbiome 
with Tomas Serena, MD, FACS, FAAWC
This session examines technology available for bedside evaluation of wound bioburden. Clinical perspectives of perceived  advantages and disadvantages of bioburden evaluation are discussed in the context of acute and chronic wounds in a variety of clinical situations and settings.

Pathology or Culture: What Is Best for Your Patient
with William Tettelbach, MD, FACP, FIDSA, FUHM, CWS, MAPWCA

While it is well known that bacteria and biofilm in the wound will impair and even prevent wound healing, and in fact cause infection, the question becomes how to best quantify the bacterial load or identify the culprits of the offending bacteria. In this session we will discuss the microbiology of common wounds and the merits and indications for 2 laboratory techniques.

Break and Exhibits, Posters with Authors Present

Disparities in Wound Care: Social Determinants of Health, Epigenetics, and the Biochemical Response to Stress
with Laura Swoboda, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, CWOCN-AP and Lynette Gunn, APRN, GCNS-BC, CWCN, CFCN

This dynamic session prepares learners to join the AAWC in addressing disparities in wound care beginning with a discussion on the scientific basis of how social determinants of health and stress impact chronic diseases, wound prevalence, and wound healing. Learners will review chronic disease risk factors and their connection to social determinants of health through processes including the biochemical response to stress and epigenetic changes. These processes can alter the trajectory for patients both by contributing to the development of conditions associated with wounds as well as limiting successful outcomes in hard-to-heal wounds.

Transitioning Technology Into Your Practice - Navigating the Process
with Kara Couch, MS, CRNP, CWCN-AP, FAAWC 
We will discuss the challenges and opportunities of incorporating technologies into an organization. From "low tech" to "high-tech" in all clinical settings, these experts examine how to blend organizational needs to meet evidence-based practice with the practical aspects of implementation including "C-Suite" and Value Analysis Committee acceptance.

Awards Presentation
AAWC Awards - Celebrate your AAWC peers! 

Keynote: Using Artificial Technology and Big Data to Personalize Efficient and Effective Wound Care
with William V. Padula, PhD

1. Describe the concepts of artificial technology and personalized wound care. 
2. Describe how personal trackers can contribute to "Big Data".
3. Summarize current research in the use of big data in wound care prognosis and predicting outcomes.

Vitamin D as a Risk Factor for Ulcer Formation
with William Tettelbach, MD, FACP, FIDSA, FUHM, CWS, MAPWCA

Vitamin D deficiency is extremely common, affecting approximately 42% of the US population. This presentation will highlight the impact Vitamin D deficiency has on patients with and at risk for developing a chronic wound. Additionally, this session will describe the dosing, drug-drug interactions as well as other micronutrients to consider based on a patient's comorbid factors. 

Washington and its Impact on Wound Care: Coding, Coverage & Payment Policies Through a Wound Care Lens
with Marcia Nusgart, R.Ph.

CMS’s ever evolving coding, coverage and payment policies impact all specialties in wound care - physicians and non-physicians – and the impact is felt differently in different sites of care. How do national policies like the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System and Physician Fee Schedule, and regional policies like Local Coverage Determinations, impact wound care business? Learn about recently implemented policy changes relevant to wound care to be in the know about, upcoming policy changes being considered, their impact to wound care, and advocacy initiatives to protect and defend wound care.

Satellite Symposium 3: All Evidence is Not Created Equal:  What Makes for Good Clinical Data in Wound Care
Sponsored by Reapplix
with Kara Couch, MS, CRNP, CWCN-AP, FAAWC 

Selecting Advanced Wound Bed Technologies (CTP)
with Naz Wahab, MD, FAPWCA
Learners will have an opportunity to review host factors and wound etiologies that factor into selecting topical wound care and advanced therapies. Learners will come away with a better understanding of how to ensure best outcomes for advanced therapies by pairing wound bed preparation prepping for CTPs and wound hygiene.

Support Surface Testing: How to Use What We Get
with Evan Call, MS, CSM (NRM)
The attentive attendee will:

1. Apply support surface microclimate test results to bed selection and settings in protection of patients from heat and moisture-based stresses.
2. Use the support surface test results for pressure, friction, and shear to make surface selections, and to guide support surface settings and nursing practice for prevention and treatment of pressure injuries.
3. Implement proper utilization of support surfaces and nursing practices to overcome the limitations of beds in protection of at-risk patients.

AAWC Annual Business Meeting, Presentation of Poster Awards, Conference Wrap Up
with Barbara M. Bates-Jensen PhD, RN, FAAWC, FAAN

Closing Reception and Social