Oxygen is critical to wound healing. Lack of oxygen (hypoxia) can delay healing and increase the risk of complications.
In patients with comorbidities, their complex and chronic wounds are at increased risk of hypoxia, which means that healing is delayed, but may be corrected by early intervention with topical oxygen therapy.
NATROX® Oxygen Wound Therapy (Inotec AMD Ltd) is a portable medical device that has been clinically proven to deliver oxygen direct to the wound bed and have a positive effect upon healing.
A group of international experts met in May 2018 to discuss the use of topical oxygen therapy, and particularly NATROX, in practice. The aims of the meeting were to:
- Establish what is currently known about oxygen therapy, and where topical oxygen therapy fits into the current treatment landscape
- Develop recommendations for use of NATROX in practice
- Agree on clinical pathways for decision-making and using NATROX in complex wounds.
This resulting document aims to provide clinicians with the information they need to use NATROX appropriately in practice and improve outcomes in healing.