EDITORIAL

BY the time you read this year’s Open meeting of the European Pressure
Ulcer Advisory Panel will be a fond memory for many of us. What
do we take away from the event? Apart from recollections of informative
presentations, good company and Scottish entertainment; there is a general
awareness that EPUAP has achieved a lot, but that there is much more
to do. One of these ‘things to do’ is a much-needed update of our prevention
and treatment guidelines. Keep an eye on this Review and the EPUAP
web-site for your opportunities to be involved in this review process. One of
the things we have done is to issue practical guidance on collecting prevalence
and incidence data with this position document reproduced in this
issue of the EPUAP Review. Read, comment and perhaps participate in the
pilot study which aims in 2005/6 to test the incidence data collection methods
outlined in the position document.

This issue of the EPUAP Review also includes a position statement to help
discriminate between pressure ulcers and skin and soft tissue wounds arising
from contact with moisture. This document has been issued to help reduce
confusion over apparent Grade 2 pressure ulcers where in reality their aetiology
has little to do with pressure. The two position statements within this
issue of the Review are complementary; for the classification guide will help
to reduce false identifications of pressure ulcers when undertaking prevalence
or incidence monitoring. That the EPUAP is able to issue two important
position statements shortly after the annual Open Meeting is a clear
demonstration of the vitality and enthusiasm of the organisation. With the
forthcoming review of the pressure ulcer prevention guideline, EPUAP continues
to have much to offer to the pressure ulcer community.

Perhaps you would like to get more involved with the activities of the
EPUAP? Future issues of the EPUAP Review will carry information upon the
various active working groups with contact details of each group leader. Get
in touch with a group leader if you feel you have contributions to offer – the
work can be demanding on your time but is ultimately rewarding given that
through our efforts on behalf of the EPUAP we can help to improve the
quality of pressure ulcer prevention and treatment.

Michael Clark
Editor