Caring for People with Xylazine-Associated Wounds

The Division of Substance Use Prevention and Harm Reduction at the Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) and the SURGE program will host a virtual presentation covering recommendations for caring for individuals with xylazine-associated wounds. The event will also feature a description of the current epidemiology of xylazine in Philadelphia, alongside a panel discussion focusing on the implications of these recommendations and lessons learned during their development.

These recommendations were developed through a series of case discussions that brought together clinicians and health administrators to discuss best practices for providing care for people with xylazine-associated wounds in street, outpatient, inpatient, and methadone treatment settings. The recommendations will be published in a forthcoming PDPH CHART.

Program Outline:

Clinical Recommendations Overview for Xylazine Associated Wounds

Daniel Teixeira da Silva, MD, MSHP, Medical Director,  Division of Substance Use Prevention and Harm Reduction, Philadelphia Department of Public Health

Rachel Neuschatz, RN, MSN, Harm Reduction Wound Care Field Nurse,  Division of Substance Use Prevention and Harm Reduction, Philadelphia Department of Public Health

Jewell Johnson, Substance Use Epidemiologist II, Division of Substance Use Prevention and Harm Reduction, Philadelphia Department of Public Health

Panel Discussion

Lisa Rae MD, FACS, Chief of Burn Surgery, Medical Director, Temple Burn Center, Associate Professor of Surgery, Temple University Hospital

Rachel Neuschatz, RN, MSN, Harm Reduction Wound Care Field Nurse,  Division of Substance Use Prevention and Harm Reduction, Philadelphia Department of Public Health

Lydia Williams, CRNP, CWOCN, Family Nurse Practitioner, Project HOME

Kevin Banks PT, DPT, CWS, Physical Therapy Utilization Manager, Temple University Hospital

Raymond Bobb, DO, Medical Director, Merakey Parkside Recovery

Person with lived experienced, to be announced