WOUND HEALING EXPECTATIONS
If the ulcer doesn’t reduce in size by 40% or more after four weeks of a given therapy re-evaluate and consider other treatments.
If the ulcer is older than three months or not responsive after six weeks of therapy, consider biopsy for histological diagnosis
If the wound bed is worsening despite treatment or excessively painful consider other etiologies including infection.
If epithelialization from the margin has not progressed within 2 weeks of debridement and offloading, biopsy for infection
Wound Healing Society, December 2006. Wound Care Guidelines.
60% of chronic wounds are positive for biofilm
James, G., Swogger, E., Wolcott, R., Pulcini, E., Secor,P., Sestrich, J., Costerton, J., & Stewart, P., 2008, Biofilms in chronic wounds. Wound Rep
Reg (2008) 16 37–44.
Author’s note: Please submit other healing expectations, with a citation, so I can build on this list.
Matthew Livingston R.N. C.W.S.
