LINK News

Launched in 2016, LINK was created to address the growing need for accessible, evidence-based wound care education and meaningful collaboration among healthcare professionals. Over the past 10 years, LINK has brought healthcare professionals together to learn from one another, exchange clinical experience and strengthen wound care education across countries and clinical settings. A JWC Anniversary Edition “Celebrating 10 Years of LINK” marks this milestone through 10 experts and 10 voices from wound care. Their reflections show what LINK has achieved over the past decade: building international exchange, supporting practical education and connecting scientific knowledge with everyday clinical practice. It is a look back at key milestones, shared progress and the continued development of a wound care community shaped by collaboration. Discover the expert voices and achievements behind 10 years of LINK.

Hard-to-heal wounds remain a daily challenge for many healthcare professionals. Despite advances in wound care products and therapies, healing can stall when the broader clinical context surrounding the patient is not fully considered. In a new Wound Care Insights podcast, Professor Karen Ousey speaks with Professor Harikrishna KR Nair, President of the World Union of Wound Healing Societies (WUWHS), about the concept of Wound Balance. The discussion explores why successful wound care requires a broader perspective that considers the patient, the wound and the clinical care environment together. By addressing these interconnected factors, healthcare professionals can better manage complex wounds, improve healing trajectories and reduce the risk of complications or recurrence.

From classroom to clinic - VR is bridging the skills gap in wound care: In the latest episode of WoundCare Insights, Prof. Karen Ousey speaks with Astrid Probst about the exciting potential of Virtual Reality (VR) in wound care education. From deepening anatomical understanding to improving patient communication and building student confidence, this episode explores how VR is already impacting care quality and training methods.

The upcoming HARTMANN Lunch Symposium will spotlight new clinical evidence in chronic wound care under the title: “Advancing Chronic Wound Care: Clinical Outcomes with Silicone Superabsorbent Dressings in DFU & VLU.” The session will present findings from a recent observational study demonstrating improvements in wound area, wound bed quality and exudate control over six weeks, alongside positive patient-reported outcomes related to quality of life and strong perceived social support during chronic wound management. Expert insights will be presented by Prof. Dr. Sebastian Probst and Dr. Agnieszka Lipinska. The session will be chaired by Prof. Dr. med. Ewa K. Stürmer. The symposium will take place on 7th May 2026, from 13:15 to 14:15 during EWMA-DEWU 2026 in Bremen. Simultaneous German–English and English–German translation will be provided.

A newly published meeting report from Wounds International (WINT) presents hands-on experience from six French wound care specialists implementing the Wound Balance concept across diverse clinical settings. The report addresses persistent challenges in French wound care, including the knowledge gap between specialist and primary care nurses, a rise in diabetic wounds and pressure ulcers, and a concurrent decline in preventive care consultations. Structured education, peer mentorship and telemedicine are identified as key enablers for earlier and more consistent interventions. Autolytic debridement is recommended as an accessible first-line step that does not require specialist training, with superabsorbent polymer (SAP) dressings supporting exudate management and wound microenvironment restoration across all wound aetiologies and healing stages. Patient quality of life and shared decision-making are positioned as non-negotiable pillars of the Wound Balance approach, with a clear call to reframe non-concordance as a communication challenge rather than patient fault.

The newly released “Compendium of Clinical Cases in NPWT” brings together real-world insights from international wound care experts. Based on case presentations from LINK Congress 2025, the compendium highlights how NPWT is applied across surgical disciplines to support better healing outcomes. It offers practical guidance for everyday clinical use – from surgical wounds to complex cases.

In this insightful conversation, Professor Karen Ousey and Dr. Emma Candas explore how ageing impacts skin integrity and why maintaining it is vital for improving patient outcomes. They discuss the concept of Wound Balance, a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to wound care that goes beyond treating wounds to caring for the whole patient. The discussion highlights how proactive, patient-centered strategies can enhance quality of life and healing outcomes in geriatric care.

HARTMANN, in partnership with Wounds International, is pleased to announce that the final program and abstracts for the LINK for Wound Healing Congress 2025, taking place on October 23–24 in Berlin, Germany, are now available. A plenary session on Wound Balance, guided by the latest WUWHS Consensus Document, will set the stage for discussion among its experts and peers. Parallel sessions will highlight factors shaping best clinical practices in wound healing and showcase key developments in Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT). With the full abstracts now published, attendees can preview the scientific contributions and prepare for in-depth discussions with colleagues from around the world.

In this podcast, Professor Karen Ousey and Professor Sebastian Probst discuss the complexities of palliative care and its potential impact on wound practice. They highlight the significance of a holistic approach, discussing key strategies such as pain relief, odour control, infection management, exudate regulation, and the crucial role of a multidisciplinary team (MDT) and person-centred care in improving patient outcomes. A central focus of their conversation is the challenges faced by patients and families when skin integrity begins to deteriorate. They explore ways to navigate and overcome these difficulties, ensuring compassionate and effective care is maintained.

Dr. Laura Swoboda reflects on her journey in caring for patients with wounds and ostomy, emphasizing the significance of her educational experiences. In conversation with moderator Samantha Holloway, she discusses the science behind wound healing and its influence on her clinical practice. While optimizing patient health remains a priority, they explore strategies for collaborating with patients to achieve the best outcomes. The role of social determinants of health is examined and how they can be integrated into everyday practice.

LINK has launched a new E-Learning module focused on the quality of life (QoL) of patients with chronic wounds. Often underestimated, QoL plays a vital role in evidence-based wound care. This module highlights the importance of patient-centered approaches, emphasizing the role of communication, education, and individualized care in improving clinical outcomes and patient experiences. By integrating tools like the Wound QoL assessment, healthcare professionals can better align treatment strategies with patients’ real needs.

The Wound Biomarkers module is now available as part of the LINK for Wound Healing E-Learning program — a valuable resource for healthcare professionals in Wound Care. This module provides in-depth insights into the clinical significance of biomarkers like enzymes, cytokines, and metabolites found in wound tissue or fluid. Learn how to assess healing progress, identify barriers, and guide treatment decisions by understanding key biomarkers across different wound healing phases.

The World Union of Wound Healing Societies published this week the new Consensus Document on Wound Balance, a medical concept unifying in a holistic approach the patient and their wound so clinicians can plan and achieve better outcomes. Based on the expertise and findings of a global network of wound care clinicians, the document provides recommendations and practical tips for implementing Wound Balance through early intervention, biomarkers management and individualized care, including patient communication strategies and resource optimization. SAP dressings play a key role within this approach, ensuring multifactorial, wound-balance benefits that wounds of various aetiologies require from a dressing, supporting the shift back to a normal healing trajectory. The recommendations of this WUWHS Consensus are equally applicable to all wound care practitioners in all clinical settings, including nurses, podiatrists, vascular specialists, general physicians and acute care clinicians.

Healthcare professionals are often so focused on caring for others that they forget to care for themselves. In this episode, Professor Karen Ousey and Dr. Gillian Rayner discuss the importance of self-compassion in healthcare, offering practical strategies to prevent burnout and foster resilience.

Professor Karen Ousey and Hollie Robinson, Service Lead for Tissue Viability, discuss the successful implementation of a virtual wound care formulary in UK. Hollie shares key challenges they faced, how they overcame them, and the positive impact — from streamlined processes to cost savings and reduced waste.

LINK for Wound Healing has introduced ZOE, a new AI-powered digital guide designed to support healthcare professionals in accessing medical content with precision and ease. ZOE leverages LINK’s scientifically validated resources to provide timely and relevant content tailored to clinical wound care needs. From medical definitions to clinical protocols, ZOE delivers answers by guiding users to the right content - quickly, accurately, and effortlessly. This innovation marks a step forward in delivering digital solutions that support clinicians in staying informed, saving time, and improving patient care—while ensuring that all guidance remains grounded in LINK’s trusted scientific platform.

Professor Karen Ousey is joined by Dr. Leanne Atkin, Vascular Nurse Consultant, to reflect on Leanne’s inspiring journey from student nurse to internationally recognised nurse leader. She shares personal insights, career advice, and the vital role of mentorship in shaping a fulfilling path in nursing.

The International Wound Infection Institute (IWII) has published updated global consensus recommendations on therapeutic wound and skin cleansing. This 2025 document highlights the clinical importance of cleansing the wound bed, edge, peri-wound, and surrounding skin to optimize healing and prevent infection. The guidance outlines evidence-based techniques, solution selection, and best practices for daily wound hygiene. It emphasizes that cleansing is not a ritual but a critical therapeutic intervention in wound care.

In this episode, Professor Karen Ousey speaks with Susy Pramod, a tissue viability matron, about the challenges of managing malignant wounds. With deep compassion, Susy shares real-life experiences, highlighting the importance of holistic care for both patients and their families. A must-listen for anyone involved in palliative and oncology wound care.

Following the insights from Part 1 on early intervention with HydroClean® and the Wound Balance concept, this new publication by Dr. Saqer Al-Mualla, Dr. Salma Saeed, and Dr. Noura Salim takes the next step: how to maintain a healthy healing trajectory. Through compelling case studies, the authors show how Zetuvit® Plus Silicone Border, a superabsorbent polymer dressing, supports wound balance by managing exudate, reducing pain, and protecting fragile skin. This continuation of the series highlights how sustained wound balance can improve outcomes and enhance patient quality of life.

A new narrative review published in Wound Practice and Research presents compelling evidence for the antimicrobial effectiveness of non-medicated HydroClean® – a hydro-responsive wound dressing (HRWD™). This 2024 publication evaluates both pre-clinical and clinical studies and outlines how HRWD™ contributes to wound healing through physical absorption and sequestration of harmful wound exudate components, including bacteria and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). The review emphasizes the dressing’s ability to promote autolytic debridement, reduce biofilm presence, and lower clinical signs of infection—without containing antiseptics or antibiotics. Its unique moisture-balancing design enables cleansing, debridement, and infection control while supporting antimicrobial stewardship efforts by not contributing to antimicrobial resistance. This evidence reinforces HRWD™ as a valuable non-pharmacological option in modern wound management, particularly for chronic and hard-to-heal wounds.

The European Wound Management Association (EWMA) has released updated evidence-based recommendations for managing wound-related symptoms in palliative care. This document provides guidance for healthcare professionals on addressing pain, odour, exudate, bleeding, and pruritus, improving patient comfort and quality of life. Learn more about best practices in holistic, patient-centred wound care.

HARTMANN, in collaboration with Wounds International, has launched ‘Beyond the Surface’, a new podcast series designed for healthcare professionals in wound care. Through open conversations, expert insights, life and professional experiences, this international podcasts explores the human side of wound care and the dedication of healthcare providers from this field. New episodes will be published regularly on LINKforWoundHealing.info, with additional availability on Wounds International’s website, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. The first episode, "When a Specialist Becomes a Patient", featuring Joy Tickle, is now live.

Leading experts will share the latest advancements in pressure injury prevention and treatment, from new scientific insights to practical hospital strategies. Speakers include Prof. Amit Gefen, Prof. Dimitri Beeckman, Prof. Paulo Alves, and Astrid Probst. Join this event online and explore cutting-edge research and real-world applications in wound care

The LINK for Wound Healing platform has expanded its educational offering with CPD-accredited E-Learning courses on Debridement and Exudate Management now available in Hungarian. This initiative enhances accessibility for healthcare professionals, supporting their continuous professional development with high-quality, expert-led wound care education.

The upcoming HARTMANN Symposium at the EWMA Conference is set to challenge conventional approaches in wound management with the provocative theme: "What if we (r)evolved wound management? – Wound Balance, New Roles and Innovation." This session will address the critical challenges in wound care—including limited resources, adherence to treatments, time constraints, rigid structures, and the patient’s socioeconomic factors -and explore whether progress is achievable when so many variables influence wound healing. National and international experts will share how they have overcome these barriers through persistence and innovation, charting a course toward the future of wound management in 2025. Chaired by Izaskun Sainz Espiga Michelena from Madrid, Spain, the session will take place on Wednesday, 26 March 2025, from 11:45 to 12:45 CET at EWMA Conference in Barcelona.

This new article marks the first in an exciting series on early intervention and treatment of chronic and acute wounds. Focusing on the Wound Balance concept and the use of non-medicated wound dressings (NMWDs), it emphasizes the importance of identifying and addressing barriers to healing early. By optimizing the healing process, these interventions aim to prevent long-term chronicity and improve patient outcomes. This article is authored by Dr. Saqer Al-Mualla, Dr. Salma Saeed, and Dr. Noura Salim.

On 19th February 2025, from 12:30 to 14:00, a free webinar will take place on the topic of "TIMERS and Debridement." The webinar will introduce the concept of TIMERS as a tool for wound bed preparation. It will also cover the different types of debridement and their benefits. This session is designed for healthcare professionals seeking to deepen their knowledge in wound care.

Healthcare professionals attending the SFFPC Conference 2025 in Paris are invited to Atelier 6, a workshop hosted by HARTMANN on Tuesday, 21 January 2025, from 12:45 to 13:15 in Room 342B. Titled "Prenez de l’Advance avec HydroClean®: la détersion en première intention, et bien + encore!", the session will focus on the practical application of HydroClean® Advance in wound cleansing and its role as a daily ally in wound care management. The workshop will be led by Dr. Alessandro Falchetti, Head of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery at Côte Basque Hospital Center, and Caroline Aspirot, a specialized wound care nurse with expertise in healing and compression.

On 22 January 2025, international wound care expert Prof. Dr. Sebastian Probst will host a highly anticipated livestream, focusing on the psychological and emotional challenges faced by individuals living with chronic wounds. The event will highlight a people-centered approach to palliative wound care, emphasizing the importance of addressing not just the physical, but also the emotional and psychological impacts of chronic wounds. Prof. Probst, a leading voice in the field, will also provide insights from the forthcoming EWMA Palliative Wound Care document, of which he is a principal author. This livestream offers a valuable opportunity for healthcare professionals to deepen their understanding of holistic wound care practices and learn strategies that prioritize patients' overall well-being. The event is free for Wounds Australia members and will be hosted on Zoom. For more information, visit the Wounds Australia website:

Explore the latest advancements in palliative wound care through this newly published case series, "Managing Malignant Cutaneous Wounds with Silicone SAP Dressings." Tabatha Rando, Nurse Practitioner, Wound Management (Royal Adelaide Hospital, Australia), shares her insights on how silicone SAP dressings provide effective exudate management, pain relief, and improve patient quality of life. The case study highlights real-world clinical outcomes and practical tips for healthcare professionals managing complex palliative wounds.

Dr Nikki Allorto, a renowned burn care specialist, shares her extensive clinical experience and insights into the factors that influence wound management decisions. This presentation, originally given at the Wound Healing Association of South Africa (WHASA) conference in April 2024, explores critical considerations in selecting wound care products, such as burn depth, infection risk, and patient-specific factors. This webinar aims to enhance clinical practice and improve patient outcomes by providing a deep understanding of the latest advancements in burn care. This is an invaluable resource for clinicians looking to elevate their skills in burn care.

The BIOMES poster showcases a novel tool for early wound assessment, focusing on Blood flow, Infection control, Off-loading, Metabolic/Co-morbidities, Exudate/Moisture/Bioburden, and Social/Economic Barriers. This framework helps clinicians determine wound risk levels and tailor interventions accordingly. Real-world cases demonstrate how early recognition and treatment using BIOMES can lead to successful wound healing, reducing chronic wound prevalence and improving quality of life for patients.

Explore the latest guidelines for managing venous leg ulcers (VLU) with the newly published S2k guideline from the German Society of Phlebology and Lymphology (DGPL). This comprehensive document, titled "Diagnosis and Treatment of Venous Leg Ulcers: S2k Guideline of the German Society of Phlebology and Lymphology (DGPL) e.V," was created under the leadership of the DGPL to unify the diverse approaches and knowledge of various professional groups. The guideline aims to provide a cohesive treatment framework, offering 70 specific recommendations divided into key areas of diagnostics, therapy, prevention of recurrences, and everyday challenges. One of the recommendations is the emphasis on balanced exudate management. The guideline highlights the use of wound dressings with superabsorbers, which can absorb significant amounts of exudate even under compression therapy and maintain good retention, optimizing the healing environment. This guideline consolidates the best practices and consensus of leading experts to ensure optimal patient care. For detailed insights and to read the full document, please refer to the publication by the DGPL.

Wound care expert Luxmi Dhoonmoon, Nurse Consultant in Tissue Viability and Queen's Nurse, presents an on-demand webinar titled "Using Wound Balance in Dark Skin Tones to Support Clinical Decision Making and Improve Wound Healing." Dhoonmoon guides clinicians on enhancing clinical confidence and outcomes through wound balance, particularly in dark skin tones. The webinar aims to transform clinical practice, eliminate outdated methods, and deepen understanding of wound healing. Clinicians will learn best practices in wound care for all patients, improving their skills and reducing suboptimal practices. Essential for healthcare professionals in wound management.

Presented at SAWC Fall 2023, Laura Swoboda´s poster explores the concept of wound balance—a framework that integrates the science of wound healing with patient-specific factors that can hinder successful outcomes. The key management strategy involves identifying and mitigating factors such as inflammation, biofilm, nutritional deficiencies, co-morbid disease control, social determinants of health, and lifestyle before chronicity sets in. Enhance your clinical practice with these insights for better outcomes for patients with complex wounds.

Discover the latest international consensus on implementing the Wound Balance concept into routine practice. This document offers a simple therapeutic protocol, easily applicable in clinical and home care settings, to standardize first-line treatment and reduce care variations. Key recommendations include using silicone SAP-dressings for early wound intervention, empowering clinicians to provide effective care even without immediate specialist input. Enhance your wound care practices with these essential guidelines.

Discover the essential guidelines for effective debridement with the latest international consensus document, spearheaded by Dieter O. Mayer and a panel of clinical experts. Debridement, a critical component of wound bed preparation, involves removing devitalized tissue, foreign material, microorganisms, and other harmful elements to optimize healing and prevent infection. This comprehensive document consolidates the latest evidence, research, and expert opinions to establish a consensus on debridement principles and techniques. The recommendations apply to all patient populations, ensuring a wide-reaching impact on clinical practice. The multidisciplinary panel, which convened in a closed meeting in July 2023 in the UK, has played a pivotal role in defining these best practices. Read the full document in the Journal of Wound Care, Volume 33, Issue 6, Supplement 6, 2024

Chaired by Ina Farrelly, with insights from Sharron Trouth and Charlotte Keaveney, this session aims to support clinicians in identifying wounds at risk of becoming chronic and implementing early interventions. Learn how to recognize and overcome barriers to wound progression to improve patient outcomes. This is a recorded webinar from a live session at EWMA May 2024 in London. Watch the full discussion and gain valuable strategies for better wound management.

The LINK for Wound Healing platform has expanded its accreditation to include Continuing Education (CE) credits, complementing its existing CPD certifications. This enhancement supports U.S. healthcare professionals in meeting their ongoing educational requirements through high-quality, accessible online courses. The LINK E-Learning Program remains dedicated to advancing global wound care expertise, now with added credentials to aid professionals in their practice and career development.

Wound care experts, Dr. Laura Swoboda and Dr. Alton R. Johnson Jr., break down their AWC Fall posters and detail the Wound Balance Concept. Through cases and discussion, they demonstrate what achieving Wound Balance looks like and the benefits to the patient and care team.

Two patients were selected due to the complex needs of their wounds and the impact the wounds were having on their quality of life. To improve the wound healing outcomes for both patients the authors utilised a multidisciplinary approach to help deliver holistic care to the patients.

This poster explores the use of a HRWD dressing to aid the healing of a lower limb wound that was at risk of amputation. The dressing used was Hydroclean® Advance. Hydroclean® Advance contains Ringer’s solution which is donated into the wound, thus facilitating the softening and debridement of devitalised tissue. It also contains superabsorbent particles which bind and sequester debris and bacteria.

Emily Salmeron, Tissue Viability Specialist Interest Nurse, demonstrates in this case study the impact pain can have on a patient’s quality of life and how changing wound treatment effectively can have a positive effect on wound healing.

Explore key strategies for effective wound management through this on-demand webinar, ‘Wound Balance Concept: Achieving Wound Healing with Confidence’. Dr. Alison J. Garten, Catherine Milne, and Dr. Laura Swoboda provide an in-depth discussion on optimizing wound care. Learn to identify and address the critical elements that impact wound progression, such as the significance of wound biomarkers and SAP-containing dressings. The webinar emphasizes a patient-centered approach, detailing how to tailor care based on individual patient needs and incorporating advanced wound care modalities that support natural healing processes.

Insightful case study from Steven Sims, Vascular Nurse Specialist, NHS, demonstrates how the use of a Hydro Responsive Wound Dressing (HRWD) has contributed to the patient avoiding a lower limb amputation.

LINK for Wound Healing E-learning is an online education program addressing multiple topics of interest for the daily practice of healthcare professionals in Wound Care. The CPD accredited modules cover well explained elements of physiopathology, medical protocols and guidelines related to wound assessment, diagnosis and the latest international therapeutic recommendations in Acute and Chronic Wounds and clinical best practice cases.

Luke Paterson's latest publication is designed to assist healthcare professionals across various backgrounds in understanding economic evaluations. The guide helps in assessing whether health interventions are cost-effective and provide value for money.

Learn how superabsorbent dressings are changing the game in managing lower extremity wounds. Dive into the comprehensive case series from Dr. Alton Johnson Jr. showcasing real-world applications and successes. Read his findings now and see the impact of innovative wound care solutions on patient care.

Discover groundbreaking strategies in wound care with Dr. Laura Swoboda's latest research. This poster delves into proactive wound management, addressing inflammation, biofilm, and other factors critical to successful healing. Learn how a goal-directed care plan can significantly improve healing outcomes.

Watch the international experts Dr. Alison Garten, Prof. Dr. Hans Smola, Sharon Trouth and Dr. Florian Dumas, explaining the benefits of the wound balance concept and applying it into clinical practice