This spring, Prof. Dimitri and Dr. Anika were honoured to present at two leading international wound care events: the WCET/NSWOCC Joint Conference in Vancouver, Canada, in April, and the meeting of the Malta Association for Skin and Wound Care (MASC) in Malta in May.
Anika’s presentations focused on skin tears and medical device–related skin injuries, addressing current evidence, practical management strategies, and opportunities to improve patient outcomes. She introduced the validated ISTAP Skin Tear Data Collection Tool, which generated significant interest among clinicians seeking to improve patient care quality.
Dimitri provided a forward-looking perspective on the future of wound care in Europe, exploring emerging trends and challenges, as well as the increasingly important role of nurses in shaping healthcare policy and influencing decision-making at national and international levels.
Beyond his presentations, Prof. Dimitri chaired and led several engaging discussions and debates throughout the meetings. One particularly stimulating session focused on pressure ulcer/injury staging, encouraging lively exchange and critical reflection among delegates from across the wound care community.
These invitations reflect SKINT's ongoing commitment to advancing wound care practice, education, and leadership through international collaboration and knowledge sharing.
The OASES Skin Tear Knowledge Assessment Instrument, originally developed by SKINT member Dr Hanne Van Tiggelen and colleagues, is now available in Spanish! Congratulations to the authors with Heidi Hevia Campos on this great work in promoting Skin Tear Research and Management.
Hannelore delivered a fabulous presentation on their research on “patients’ experiences with the application of medical adhesives to the skin” at the 25th Annual Meeting of the EPUAP - European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel in Helsinki, Finland.
Great work on this relevant topic!
The published article can be accessed here
On June 30th, Anika successfully defended her thesis titled: "Preventing skin damage in hospitalised patients: a journey from gap analysis to learning needs and clinical trials."
Her research addresses the critical issue of hospital-acquired skin injuries, particularly in patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) who require prone positioning as a life-saving intervention. Across five interconnected studies, the thesis investigates educational, procedural, and preventive strategies to optimise patient safety while minimising the risk of pressure ulcers and other skin damage.
Key outcomes include the development of simulation-based training resources, the creation of the PRONEtect Education Hub (www.pronetection.com), and the evaluation of silicone foam dressings as a protective measure. Together, these initiatives equip clinicians with the necessary tools and knowledge to minimise harm, enhance patient outcomes, and maintain the highest standards of care in complex clinical settings. Supervisor: Prof. dr. Dimitri Beeckman, Co-Supervisor: Prof. dr. Amit Gefen.
SKINT proudly announces that Prof. Beeckman is now the new EWMA PRESIDENT!
CONGRATULATIONS!