Challenges in wound care for community nurses: a case review

Wound care in primary settings can be complex if patients are discharged early and have comorbidities. With community nurses often working alone, it is imperative that support is available to guide clinical decision making, for example, through both senior or specialist nurses, guidelines, protocols, wound care formularies, care pathways and care plans. Unfortunately some patients try to dictate their care when at home. Community nurses must continue with a professional approach, ensuring care is delivered in a safe and appropriate way. The patient may sometimes seek reassurance when they feel vulnerable; in these scenarios it is essential for the nurse to establish a trusting relationship, offering fully informed explanations of procedures and gaining patient consent. This report describes a gentleman whose whose personal anxieties led him to refuse care.