National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel (NPIAP) Celebrates 35th Anniversary

For additional information, please contact:
Kirsten L. Singleton, MBA, CAE
Executive Director, National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel, Inc.
Phone: (978) 856-6292
Email: Kirsten@NPIAP.com

National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel (NPIAP) Celebrates 35^th Anniversary

Westford, MA (March 29, 2023) – The National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel (NPIAP) recently celebrated its 35^th Anniversary at their Annual Meeting in San Diego. 

In remarks to the membership, NPIAP president Dr. Joyce Black reminded members that “the important part of celebrating any anniversary is looking back on whose shoulders we are standing. NPIAP would not be where it is today without the important work done over the past 35 years by all the members of the boards and councils”.  The work of NPIAP in just 35 years has led the world in developing prevention and treatment guidelines that have saved thousands of patient lives.

This year’s conference tackled current clinical challenges but also put a special focus on health equity and unconscious bias. Dr. Black stressed the need for more work in this area. “Clinicians have known for many years that we could not easily detect skin color change in persons with very dark skin. That inability is changing. There is technology today that is ‘color blind’ and can help detect early ischemic change and early subdermal moisture from inflammation.” The conference took a deep dive on prevention for darkly pigmented skin and pledged to end the disparities for those patients.

In honor of NPIAP’s 35^th anniversary, the group’s Alumni Council led a fundraising campaign for the Wounded Warrior Project©. To honor the wounded warriors, a group of members took a reflective early morning walk along the downtown waterfront, finishing at the Unconditional Surrender (AKA “The Kissing Statue”) next to the USS Midway.

NPIAP will continue its leading-edge work in clinical excellence and health equity at its next conference in February 2024 in San Antonio.

The National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel (NPIAP) is an independent not-for-profit professional organization dedicated to the prevention and management of pressure injuries. Assisted by our Panel that includes multiple corporations, organizations, healthcare leaders and patients, NPIAP has become an internationally recognized entity.  Along with our colleagues in Europe and Pan Pacific, we produce the International Guideline for the Prevention and Treatment of Pressure Ulcers/Injuries. With our focus on pressure injury prevention and management, the NPIAP serves as a unique resource to healthcare professionals, the government, patients and their caregivers, the public, and healthcare agencies.