Paving the way for effective wound care education for the non-specialist — developing five evidence-based wound type specific pathways

Abstract

The Wound Care Pathway was developed in 2020/21 to provide a practical, evidence-based step-by-step approach towards wound healing (Dowsett et al, 2021). Healthcare providers who use the pathway asked for more detailed guidance for specific wound types. A group of wound care experts, comprised of physicians, nurses and researchers, undertook a process to expand the international consensus on wound healing by developing wound type-specific pathways for diabetic foot ulcers, venous leg ulcers, skin tears, pressure injuries/pressure ulcers and surgical wound dehiscence. The objective was to take complex research evidence and translate it into simple and practical treatment guidance for the non-specialist, for the five most common wound types. The systematic approach to wound care provided in the wound care pathway and in the wound type specific pathways is designed with the goal of achieving a shorter way to wound healing by helping healthcare providers focus on healing wounds not just dressing wounds.