The status of wound care units in Spain

Abstract

The paucity of published studies to date has made it difficult to assess wound care provision in Spain. This paper reports the outcomes of the first census of units specialising in the treatment of chronic wounds in this country. Results indicate that wound units have very heterogeneous and diverse characteristics, varying according to region and health context. The regional organisation and implementation of health care appears to be reflected in the uneven distribution of wound care units across the territory, with several regions having none. The majority of units that exist provide benefits for both patients and staff, through treatment and training, respectively. Despite the benefits of the wound care unit model, there are barriers to unit creation and shortcomings that need to be addressed to strengthen the position of these units within Spain’s healthcare system.