
Sponsored by

Chronic Wound Identification and Assessment

Chronic wounds affect more than 6.5 million people and cost billions of dollars every year in the United States. Chronic wounds become stagnant through the normal phases of wound healing and often enter a vicious cycle including numerous comorbidities, mixed etiologies, and intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Wound identification and comprehensive assessment comprise the foundation of an effective treatment plan.
The guide discusses the following best practices for the use of topical agents, as well as clinical concerns, backed by recent references from the evidence base:
Essentials of chronic wound management
Strategies to simplify identifying wound types: arterial, venous, and diabetic neuropathic ulcers; surgical dehiscence; atypical wounds; and pressure ulcer/injury staging
Characteristics, causes, risk factors, and treatment plans for each wound type
Methods to reduce friction and shearing forces
Moisture-associated dermatitis/incontinence-associated dermatitis versus pressure injury
Moist wound healing rationale and techniques
Bioburden control
Steps in periwound assessment
Simplifying wound treatment by wound depth and exudate
Patient and caregiver education and communication
This guide is generally written to provide practical guidance for all health care professionals in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic wounds in their wound patients.