Chronic wound management in hospital care units: A literature review

Research
By Lucie Charbonneau, Béatrice Perrenoud, Serge Gallant, Isabelle Lehn, Valérie Champier
English

Chronic wounds are a major health problem which nurses deal with daily. However, little agreement exists about dressing techniques for chronic wounds. The practices described are often imprecise and even controversial. At least four procedures are depicted for this practice in Switzerland. We look at evidence about dressing techniques for chronic wounds in hospital care units. The debate around this issue is described, and the terms “sterile” and “non-sterile” bandage are defined. The scientific and professional literature are analyzed to determine the level of proof of the existing data, which does not state that one of these techniques is more adequate than the other for chronic wound management in a hospital environment. The principles formulated on the basis of this literature review are therefore based on experts’ opinions.

Keywords

  • evidence-based nursing
  • dressing technique
  • chronic wounds
  • sterile
  • nonsterile
  • hospital
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