Infection Guidelines

Standards of care and evidence-based guidelines should lead our wound care practice to ensure the best possible outcomes for our patients. There are often prewritten algorithms or first- and second-line therapies, along with outlined treatment plans and guidelines established based on evidence. These guidelines can be adjusted to meet each patient’s specific needs.

It is estimated that between 2% and 6% of the global population currently live with wounds, a figure that is expected to increase as more people age. The cost of wound care in the United States is approximately $60 billion annually. This figure is also expected to increase unless wound care strategies adapt.

Wounds affect patients across the global health continuum. In 2019, one study found that approximately 2% of the United States’ population has been affected by chronic wounds. Proper wound hygiene remains one of the most important tenets to optimize healing outcomes in hard-to-heal wounds. Proper wound hygiene may help reduce the likelihood of infection, accelerate healing times, and decrease the resources required for wound care. This routine could lead to limited health care resources—such as personnel, supplies, time, and effort— being used more effectively. In addition, the protocol is suitable for use across multiple wound care professional types and care settings.