Press releases, announcements, and media coverage from the Post-Acute Wound & Skin Integrity Council.
PAWSIC calls on clinicians, medical coders, and healthcare organizations to recognize skin failure, distinct from pressure injury, in ICD-10-CM, and invites the field to read and endorse the paper.
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Penn State College of Medicine, PAWSIC, and Healiant bring evidence-based wound care quality improvement to nursing homes across Pennsylvania through the Assessment-Action Blueprint.
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PAWSIC proudly announces the formation of its inaugural Advisory Committee, coinciding with the organization's second anniversary and welcoming a pioneer in pressure injury research.
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PAWSIC officially becomes a member of the Alliance of Wound Care Stakeholders, expanding its ability to advocate for wound care professionals in post-acute settings.
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A new collaboration with Open Wound Research to advance transparency, evidence-based care, and open research methods in wound care.
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PAWSIC receives official recognition as a 501(c)(6) organization, launching its mission to address the chronic wound crisis affecting more than 8 million Americans.
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A new partnership bringing wound care education and advocacy to broader audiences through the popular healthcare education and entertainment platform.
PAWSIC and HMP Global collaborate to expand wound care education and professional development opportunities through the WoundCon platform.
PAWSIC and Medline join forces to advance wound care education, resources, and best practices for post-acute care professionals nationwide.
By Lola Offenback. McKnight’s Long-Term Care News reports on the PAWSIC Skin Failure Codes Position Paper, with comments from PAWSIC President Jeanine Maguire and lead author Ronald Rosen on why skin failure needs its own ICD-10-CM diagnosis.
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February 3, 2025 The Post-Acute Wound & Skin Integrity Council (PAWSIC), a non-profit interprofessional collaboration dedicated to advancing patient-centered team approaches in post-acute care, proudly announces the formation of its inaugural Advisory Committee. This significant milestone, coinciding with PAWSIC's second anniversary, underscores the organization's commitment to strategic growth and reinforces its mission to improve patient outcomes. PAWSIC is assembling a team of experienced leaders to provide guidance and support, ensuring alignment with its core values.
PAWSIC is honored to welcome Dr. Tom Stewart as the first member of its Advisory Committee. Dr. Stewart's distinguished career and profound expertise in wound care make him an invaluable asset to the organization.
Dr. Stewart brings a wealth of experience to this role. He is the President of Stewart Consulting, an adjunct Senior Associate Clinical Professor at Daemen University, former President of Gaymar Industries Inc., and former VP of Clinical Affairs for Stryker's Medical Division. A true pioneer in the field, Dr. Stewart founded the National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel (NPIAP) in 1986 and received the Panel's inaugural 'Thomas Stewart Founder's Award' in 2003.
For over 40 years, Dr. Stewart has dedicated his career to the study of pressure injury pathophysiology, wound healing, support surface design, and thermal physiology. His extensive research has resulted in numerous publications in peer-reviewed journals, a book chapter on Support Surfaces, and various patents for therapeutic patient temperature control. A sought-after speaker at national and international conferences, he also serves on the editorial boards of several prestigious journals, including the International Wound Journal and WOUNDS.
Dr. Stewart's contributions to the field have earned him widespread recognition, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from the World Union of Wound Healing Societies (2008). His service also includes membership on the Dean's Advisory Council for the School of Engineering at SUNY at Buffalo, appointment by the NY State Governor to the Board of the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Institute (2009-2016), and service as Immediate Past Chair of the Daemen University Board of Trustees (2016-2019).
“We are incredibly honored to welcome Dr. Stewart to our Advisory Committee. His unparalleled expertise, visionary leadership, and compassionate approach resonate perfectly with PAWSIC's mission. We are confident that his guidance will be instrumental in helping us achieve our goals and positively impact the lives of those we serve.” Dr. Jeanine Maguire, PAWSIC President and Chief Clinical Delivery Officer, THP
Quakertown, Pennsylvania The Post Acute Wound & Skin Integrity Council (PAWSIC), a 501(c)(6) non-profit organization committed to advancing a patient-centered, team-based approach in post-acute care, is proud to announce that it has officially become a member of the Alliance of Wound Care Stakeholders. This partnership allows PAWSIC to collaborate with key stakeholders in wound care and provide a stronger voice on issues specific to wound and skin care in the post-acute care space.
Through this membership, PAWSIC will have the opportunity to engage with other professionals and organizations who share our vision and mission, expanding our ability to support and advocate for the integration of evidence-based wound and skin prevention and management practices. The Alliance serves as a platform for collaboration on initiatives that improve the quality of care for patients with wounds, while addressing regulatory and policy issues affecting clinicians and patients alike.
“This partnership with the Alliance of Wound Care Stakeholders enables PAWSIC to engage in meaningful dialogue and collaboration with other key players in the wound care space. It strengthens our ability to advocate for the needs of wound care professionals in the post-acute setting and ensure that our collective voice is heard on policies that impact the care of patients with wounds.” Jeanine Maguire, PhD, MPT, CWS, President of PAWSIC
Quakertown, Pennsylvania The Post Acute Wound & Skin Integrity Council (PAWSIC) is thrilled to announce an exciting new partnership with Open Wound Research (OWR), a leading organization committed to promoting transparency and evidence-based care in wound care through open and transformative research methods, tools, and data access. This collaboration represents a significant step forward in fulfilling PAWSIC's mission to enhance clinical excellence and improve patient outcomes in wound and skin integrity care.
Through this partnership, PAWSIC and OWR will work together on innovative research initiatives, data access, and advocacy efforts, all aimed at advancing the highest standards of wound care. Both organizations share a deep commitment to transparency, evidence-based practices, and ensuring quality care for patients. Together, PAWSIC and OWR are poised to explore collaborative possibilities that will benefit their members, Board of Directors, and the broader wound care community.
“OWR's commitment to transparency and evidence-based outcomes perfectly aligns with PAWSIC's mission. This partnership offers a unique opportunity for our Board of Directors and members to engage in cutting-edge projects that will drive advancements in wound care, benefiting clinicians, patients, and the entire field.” Dr. Jeanine Maguire, PhD, MPT, CWS, President of PAWSIC
“PAWSIC's advocacy for quality wound and skin care prevention and management is necessary now more than ever. We are proud to support that mission, and the extraordinary team that has been assembled by PAWSIC.” Zwelithini Tunyiswa, Chief Executive Officer of Open Wound Research
The organization's mission will focus on a patient-centric approach to addressing the 'silent epidemic' of chronic wounds, estimated to affect more than 8 million Americans, with annual Medicare-related costs alone estimated to be $28-$30 billion.
Philadelphia, PA, September 15, 2023: The Post Acute Wound Skin Integrity Council (PAWSIC), an interprofessional organization serving post-acute stakeholders by advocating for and guiding quality wound and skin prevention and management, today announced it has received official recognition as a 501-(c)(6) organization by the IRS. PAWSIC's work centers on spearheading comprehensive interprofessional approaches to address the significant chronic wounds and skin issues that are on the rise due to the prevalence of chronic disease and an increasingly aging population.
It is estimated there are an estimated 1.33% venous ulcers and 8% diabetic neuropathic ulcers in the general community. Reported pressure injury rates vary but have an increased prevalence in older adults, with an estimated 7.9%-28% in LTC, with two of every three ulcers in those older than age 70, exceeding $3.3 billion in expense. These chronic wounds, along with other skin conditions such as skin tears and MASD, can compromise the quality of life for the patient, while the many complex and difficult treatments can burden staff. Further, regulatory fines and litigation are rising, with the average settlement at $250,000 and, in some cases, exceeding $300 million.
PAWSIC's initial agenda will focus on leveraging expert research, technology, national guidelines, and collaborative partners to focus on profoundly impacting the lives of millions. Through a collaborative effort involving renowned leaders, wound experts, and an interprofessional team, the initiative aims to create a nationwide network of resources, knowledge-sharing platforms, and educational support to empower all wound care stakeholders in PAC to improve outcomes.
PAWSIC will use a patient-centered team approach to bridge science, technology, and evidence to patients, caregivers, healthcare providers, industry, organizations, payers, and regulators. With a focus on both prevention and treatment, the PAWSIC framework encompasses various elements, including but not limited to:
“Our vision is to create a new paradigm for wound management, one that is interprofessional and patient-centered. It is a core tenet of PAWSIC that great outcomes are not the result of one disciplinary approach or treatment, but rather an interprofessional approach with patient-centered goals at the helm, leveraging evidence-based practices and team expertise to address the individualized complexities of the patient and what matters most to them.” Jeanine Maguire, PAWSIC President
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