ISTAP Past Presidents

The History of the International Skin Tear Advisory Panel (ISTAP)

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By: Kimberly LeBlanc PhD, RN, NSWOC, WOCC(C), IIWCC

What led to ISTAP being created?

Sharon Baranoski and Kimberley LeBlanc were co-presenters during the World Union of Wound Healing Societies (WUWHS) 2008 Toronto Congress. Along with Dawn Christensen, Sharon and Kim shared passion for skin tears and the lack of published evidence prompted them to convene a consensus panel of experts in 2011 with the generous funding from Hollister Wound care.

What were ISTAPs first publications?

An international survey of knowledge, attitude and practice of healthcare professionals provided a great insight into the extent of the problem of skin tear preventions, assessment and management:

LeBlanc, K., Baranoski, S., Holloway, S., Langemo, D., & Regan, M. (2014). A descriptive cross-sectional international study to explore current practices in assessment, prevention and treatment of skin tears. International Wound Journal, 11(1), 424-430.

This provided an excellent platform for the subsequent body of work that lead to the development of a set of consensus statements:

LeBlanc, K, Baranoski, S, Christensen, D., Langemo, D., Sammon, M., Edwards, K., Holloway, S., Gloeckner, M., Williams, A., Carville, K., Campbell, K., Madori, A., Regan, M.  (2011). State of the science: Consensus statements for the prevention, prediction, assessment and treatment of skin tears. Advances in Skin and Wound care, 24(9), 2.

Who were the original ISTAP panel members?

Co-chairs: Dr. Kimberly LeBlanc (Canada) and Sharon Baranoski (USA)

Panel members: Dr. Karen Campbell (Canada), Dr. Kerlyn Carville (Australia), Dawn Christensen (Canada), Karen Edwards (USA), Mary Gloeckner (USA), Samantha Holloway (UK), Dr. Diane Langemo (USA), Alicia Madore (USA), Mary Ann Sammon (USA), Ann Williams (USA), and Dr. Mary Regan (USA)

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