Nurses' Knowledge and Practices Related to Wound and Peri-Wound Cleansing in Canada

Inadequate wound management can lead to increased complications, costs, and risks, highlighting the importance of health care professionals' knowledge in wound and peri-wound care. Although previous studies have identified knowledge gaps among nurses, national data on Canadian nurses' understanding of wound cleansing remain limited. This study aimed to evaluate Canadian nurses' knowledge and practices regarding wound and peri-wound cleansing and assess their alignment with evidence-informed recommendations.

A descriptive, cross-sectional, self-administered online survey was conducted from June to August 2024 to gather data on current practices. Research ethics board exemption was obtained from the Joint West Park Healthcare Centre-Toronto Central LHIN-Toronto Grace Health Centre Research Ethics Board (JREB).

Survey results revealed that 91% (n=180) of nurses recognize the role of regular wound cleansing in promoting healing, whereas 90% (n=178) believe it helps reduce biofilm and prevent infection. In addition, 99% (n=196) support routine peri-wound cleansing, and 94% (n=186) emphasize the use of nondamaging cleansers. Despite this knowledge, gaps persist between belief and practice. For example, 68% (n=135) support gauze soaking, yet only 30% (n=59) use this method routinely. Only 54% (n=107) correctly identified the need for antiseptics on peri-wound areas, and just 34% (n=67) consider hypochlorous acid and sodium hypochlorite equally safe.

The findings underscore the need for enhanced education to bridge the gap between knowledge and practice. Aligning wound care practices with current evidence is essential to improving outcomes, preventing infection, and ensuring patient safety across Canadian health care settings.