Using wound care products to promote a healing environment

Healing is characterized by the synthesis of new tissue and scar formation. Despite the complexity of healing with full-thickness injury, the repair process occurs in a predictable manner. There are four basic principles of wound care: (1) debride necrotic tissue and cleanse the wound to remove debris, (2) provide a moist wound healing environment through the use of proper dressings, (3) protect the wound from further injury, and (4) provide nutritional substrates essential to the healing process. Most importantly, any underlying pathophysiology must be treated or the wound will not heal. Products selected to create a healing environment must be chosen thoughtfully and scientific rationale must support their use. Intensive care nurses have the opportunity to get the patient off to the right start by attending to the basic principles elucidated in this article. Accurate wound assessment and appropriate product choices can promote a healing environment. Intensive care of patients includes differentiating wound types and making appropriate wound care product decisions that ultimately affect patient outcomes.