(HE-004) Improving access to wound care, a patient Caring Access program using the first Human Keratin matrix.

Allison Ramey-Ward, PhD – Research & Development Manager, Progena Care Global; Sharon Smart, RT – Outpatient Surgical Services Manager, Wound Care, Georgia Vascular Specialist; James Poindexter, MD, – CEO, Vascular Surgery, Georgia Vascular Specialist

Introduction: The underserved and uninsured continue to lack access to adequate medical care.  Care for acute and chronic wounds is no exception.  The economic challenge of wound care affects 15% of Medicare beneficiaries alone, and over $28 billion spent on globally.  Lack of access to wound care by the uninsured or underserved areas remains a source of soaring healthcare cost [4]. Driven to make a difference, Progena Care Global has committed one-third of its production of the first human keratin grafts, Progena matrix*, to a patient Caring Access program (PCA).  This program seeks to address healthcare inequality and disparity in wound care.  The human keratin matrix graft is provided at no cost for those qualifying patients with chronic wounds. We present our data from a small series of patients who participated in the PCA program with ProgenaMatrix [6].   

Methods:

We present a series of 10 chronic refractory wounds.     

Patients were pre-selected based on chronic wound type and eligibility guidelines set forth by the PCA program. A total of 5 VLUs, 1 DFU, and 2 pressure ulcers were treated.   Three females and two males, age range of 41-83 years of age, who had previously been denied access to advanced wound products/skin substitutes due to their current insurance coverage or poor financial resources. 

Results:

100% of the wounds were responsive to the human keratin graft. There was increased epithelialization and granulation tissue in wound base. There was 100% compliance with both follow-up appointments and treatment program.  Three wounds resolved by end of series (1 VLU, 1 DFU, and 1 pressure ulcer).  7 wounds remained open but averaged a 50% decrease in size, and improved wound bed condition since treatment initiation.  There were no hospital admissions, amputations, nor complications during the treatment series related to the chronic wounds.

Discussion:

Progena Care Global improves access for the underserved and uninsured with the first human keratin graft. The use of keratin in wound healing promotes epithelialization, promotion of quicker healing and epidermal regeneration [3,4].  An effective PCA program can address economic disparities in wound care and make an impressionable impact on the lives of many.

Trademarked Items: *ProgenaMatrix, ProgenaCare, US.

References: World J Clin Cases, 2020 8(21): 5070-5085.
2. Raffetto, J.D., et al. Why venous leg ulcers have difficulty healing: Overview on pathophysiology, clinical consequences and treatment. J Clin. Med, 2021 10, 29: 1-34.
3. Batzer, A.T., et al., The use of keratin-based wound products on refractory wounds. Int Wound J 2016. 13: 110-115.
4. Nussbaum SR, Carter MJ, Fife CE, et al. An economic evaluation of the impact, cost, and Medicare policy implications of chronic nonhealing wounds. Value Health. 2018;21(1):27–32
5. https://www.woundsource.com/blog/economic-burdens-and-policy-implications-chronic-nonhealing-wounds#:~:text=The%20study%20shows%20the%20full%20economic%20cost%20of,wound%20was%20the%20primary%20diagnosis%20on%20the%20claim.
6. https://caringaccess.com/