The URGO Foundation was in Portugal on October 28th (Lisbon), and November 25th (Porto) to lead Mission Compression days, a global initiative aiming to raise awareness and educate healthcare professionals on the critical role of compression therapy in treating venous leg ulcers (VLUs).
A major public health issue
Compression therapy is widely recognized as the gold standard for managing VLUs, which account for 60–85% of vascular leg ulcers. Healing rates for VLUs are around 47% at 12 months without proper compression. By reducing the oedema and therefore the pressure in the leg, it contributes to closing wounds faster and play a vital role in improving patient outcomes. This outcome also comes with a benefit for the health system, reducing healthcare costs. Despite its proven effectiveness and international recommendations, studies show that only 1 out of 6 patients with VLUs are treated with compression therapy, highlighting a significant gap in care.
Knowledge sharing
The Mission Compression events in Portugal were designed to address this gap by empowering healthcare professionals with theorical and practical knowledge in a continuous education strategy. Gathering a crowd of wound care nurses, vascular and general surgeons, community nurses and pharmacists’ patients focus.
Clear objectives to improve care
These events brought together a multidisciplinary panel of experts, including vascular surgeons, general surgeons, advanced wound care nurses, and pharmacists, to share best practices and clinical insights. The sessions emphasized the importance of early diagnosis, proper assessment, and consistent use of compression therapy to improve healing outcomes and prevent recurrence. The presence of a multidisciplinary crew also illustrated the importance of global care.
The high level of attendance, engagement and positive feedback from more than 200 participants reflect the growing commitment to improving wound care standards across the country.
The support of the Ordem dos Farmaceuticos and Ordem das Enfermeiras, highlights the public stakes of properly taking care of VLUs.
By supporting this continuous medical education, the URGO Foundation care for patients quality of life, by improving care and reducing recurrence through consistent compression use
