How Community-Based Health Care Providers Can Manage Hard-to-Heal Wounds

When providing care for hard-to-heal wounds, community-based healthcare providers frequently fail to recognize or address delayed healing, which leads to increased cost and more health care utilization.
 
A poster to be presented at the Symposium on Advanced Wound Care (SAWC) Spring has developed evidence-based recommendations for community-based health care providers when treating hard-to-heal wounds.¹ The recommendations, developed by an advisory panel of wound care experts, includes the following:
 

• The wound and periwound should be cleansed with a non-cytotoxic antimicrobial agent or pH-balanced surfactant solution.
• If appropriate, prompt wound debridement with gauze or a soft pad is recommended.
• For draining wounds, the periwound should be protected with a barrier product.
• For highly draining wounds, a superabsorbent/gelling fiber dressing is recommended. Alginate or foam dressings are recommended for wounds with medium drainage, and hydrocolloid, sheet hydrogel or thin foam dressings for minimal drainage.
• When infection is suspected, a topical antimicrobial/antiseptic agent should be used.
• A basic toolkit for wound care should include wound/skin cleansers, gauze, a primary dressing to provide a moist wound environment, and a secondary cover dressing if needed.
• Community-based health care providers who refer early and strengthen their ability to deliver good evidence-based wound care can greatly improve overall healthcare efficiency and cost. 

Reference
 
1. Milne C. The role community-based health care providers play in managing hard-to-heal wounds. Presented at Symposium on Advanced Wound Care Spring, April 27–30, 2023.