uLCerSthe Veterans Administration

Venous leg ulcers (VLUs) are costly in terms of economics and quality of life. Using a prespecified agenda and 2 moderators, 6 wound care experts met to (a) discuss how venous leg ulcers are handled within the Veterans Admin- istration (VA) system; (b) explore any unique challenges or opportunities in treating venous leg ulcers in the VA compared to outside the VA setting; (c) obtain feedback on resources or needs specific to the VA in supporting the treatment of venous leg ulcer patients; and (d) disseminate these findings throughout the VA system. Many consensus statements were developed re- garding how patients are seen in the VA, how they are assessed and treated, evidence-based practice, and patient morbidity, quality of life, and education. The most important findings related to lack of uniformity in patient referral and care, and a lack of a specific VLU guideline or approach, as has been done for diabetic foot ulcers. There needs to be recognition that VLUs within the VA system also have a major economic impact and that, when care is not optimal, patient quality of life decreases even further.