The management of chronic wounds: factors that affect nurses' decision-making

This study sought to determine how registered nurses make decisions regarding the management of chronic wounds. A self-administered questionnaire consisting of both Likert-type and open-ended questions was used to survey registered nurses working in hospitals and community services in a large Australian city. A total of 140 questionnaires were returned from a variety of clinical settings. The study revealed that registered nurses had a significant role in chronic wound management. However, they relied primarily on their own experience and that of colleagues for decision making in which they had varying degrees of autonomy. The authors conclude that nurses and medical staff require more objective, research-based education on wound assessment and management.