• To enhance your knowledge of the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of wound infection
• To understand how to undertake a wound assessment and to recognise the signs and symptoms of wound infection
• To be aware of the treatments for wound infection and the factors involved in its prevention
A priority in wound care is preventing wound infection, because this can cause delays in healing and increase the risk of hospital admission. Moreover, the diagnosis of a wound infection is not always straightforward, and the presence of biofilms may mean that an infection is particularly challenging to treat. This article outlines the main aspects of diagnosing, treating and preventing wound infections. It explains that treating wound infection is multifactorial and may include topical antimicrobials, antibiotics and wound bed preparation techniques. The author discusses various preventative measures that can support patients and healthcare organisations, while also contributing towards effective antimicrobial stewardship.
Nursing Standard. doi: 10.7748/ns.2024.e12360
Peer reviewThis article has been subject to external double-blind peer review and checked for plagiarism using automated software
Correspondence Conflict of interestNone declared
Bishop A (2024) Wound infection: diagnosis, treatment and prevention. Nursing Standard. doi: 10.7748/ns.2024.e12360
Published online: 30 December 2024
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