Wound Infections in Critical Care

Patients admitted to critical care units are at high risk for increased morbidity and mortality from skin and deep wound infections. Despite considerable progress, wound healing remains a challenge to many clinicians. Nurses working in critical care environments need to understand the anatomic and physiologic basis for wound healing, distinguish wound inflammation from wound infection, recognize the presence of biofilms, and implement evidence-based wound care in order to promote successful outcomes in this patient population.