Wound and Skin and Soft Tissue Morbidity and Mortality Review Workgroup

Wounds and Skin and Soft Tissue Infections (SSTIs) among people who use drugs (PWUD) are increasing in prevalence and severity. For instance, ED visits for SSTIs among PWUD have tripled since 2019 and over 1,800 PWUD are hospitalized with SSTIs every year. Meanwhile, street harm reduction outreach teams and mobile medical teams communicate that the number and severity of wounds among patients exceeds the resources they have to treat them. More troubling, are the many patients who are reportedly declining or delaying care despite the risk that wounds from injection drug use pose to their safety and well-being. There is a need to develop standards of care and increase local capacity for the care of wounds and SSTIs among PWUD.

To address this need, SUPHR and the Health Federation of Philadelphia's SURGE Program is establishing a Wound and Skin and Soft Tissue Morbidity and Mortality Review workgroup. These 2-hour case reviews will feature a case presentation and are planned for 9:00 am to 11:00 am on the following Thursdays:

• January 26, 2023
• March 23, 2023
• May 25, 2023
• July 13, 2023
• September 28, 2023
• November 30, 2023

This is a closed meeting. If you have any questions or wish to recommend another colleague from your institution to participate in the SSTI MMR, please direct them to Catherine Abrams, SURGE Program Coordinator at surge@healthfederation.org