Wound care experts have released new advice, outlining best practice for nurses and other healthcare workers.
The experts, from Wounds UK, say that many healthcare providers have not committed to clear protocols for the management of wounds. This has led to a lack of obvious pathways of care and treatment goals, they write in the new document.
In their Best Practice Statement, Optimising Wound Care, they warn that if a wound is managed inappropriately the patient is at increased risk of complications. Chronic wounds "not only prolong patient suffering, but also increase the cost to healthcare organisations".
So an expert panel, chaired by Professor Keith Harding of Cardiff University, UK, collaborated on the guidance to promote a "consistent and cohesive approach to care".
They present a care pathway which ensures that patients’ needs are properly addressed. It emphasises the need for continual reassessment and changes to treatment when necessary.
Steps in the pathway include assessment, diagnosis, objective setting and provision of care or onward referral to specialist services, until the desired outcome is achieved. The guidance also advises providers on the best way to plan and allocate resources.
Clinical director of Wounds UK, David Gray, explains that the organisation’s website provides a wide range of helpful resources.
"It includes tools such as articles, journal supplements, clinical tools, clinical audit software, professional seminars and web-based resources which aim to support the practitioner in the use of Applied Wound Management", he says.
The new Best Practice Statement is also available in full.
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