Management of Infected Wounds: A Wound Healing Foundation Consensus Statement.

Area of Science:

• Wound healing
• Infectious diseases
• Clinical consensus

Background:

• The Wound Healing Foundation (WHF) has a history of organizing consensus panels on various wound types.
• Previous panels addressed chronic, acute, and diabetic wound management.
• Infected wounds represent a significant clinical challenge requiring specialized guidance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a consensus statement on the management of infected wounds.
• To provide an evidence-based framework for clinicians and researchers.
• To address key aspects of infected wound care, from development to treatment assessment.

Main Methods:

• A global, interdisciplinary panel of clinicians and researchers was convened.
• A comprehensive literature review was conducted.
• Consensus was reached on elements of infected wound management through a structured process.

Main Results:

• The statement details the pathogenesis of wound infections.
• It outlines diagnostic criteria for infected wounds.
• Evidence-based recommendations for antimicrobial and surgical interventions are provided.

Conclusions:

• The consensus statement offers a structured approach to infected wound management.
• It emphasizes the importance of accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment selection.
• Guidance is provided for assessing treatment efficacy and managing treatment failures.