Nursing management of chronic wounds: best practices across the continuum of care.

ABSTRACT

This article highlights the nurse's role within a holistic, interdisciplinary approach to chronic wound management. Best practices for chronic wound care are discussed, drawing on evidence-based science when it is available. The fundamentals of chronic wound care, including cleansing, irrigation, débridement, infection control, and topical treatment are addressed. New devices and technologies are briefly reviewed. Implementing these best practices across the continuum of care will result in greater advances in the management of chronic wounds.