Introduction
Wound dressings should provide the most optimum conditions for wound healing while protecting the wound from infection with microorganisms and further trauma. It is important that the dressings be removed correctly to avoid further damage to the wound surface during dressing changes.
Dressings are applied to wounds for many reasons:
- To facilitate rapid and cosmetically acceptable healing
- To reduce pain
- To prevent or combat infection and manage biofilm
- To contain exudate
- To remove or contain odour
- To provide maximum comfort for the patient
Wound healing is a dynamic process and the characteristics of a dressing required by the wounds can change as the wound moves through the different phases of the healing process. The wound healing continuum will aid clinical decision-making regarding appropriate dressings at each stage of wound healing.