Chronic Wound Management in the Community: Best Practice Approaches for Nurses
Summary: This review article examines the evolving role of community nurses in managing chronic wounds (DFUs, VLUs, PIs), emphasizing multidisciplinary team (MDT) collaboration, telehealth integration, and patient-centered care. In the UK, community settings handle 70% of chronic wounds, but outcomes lag (only 50% heal in 12 weeks) due to access barriers and inconsistent training. Best practices include standardized assessment (TIME framework), offloading (TCC for DFUs), and moisture balance (foams/hydrogels); telehealth improved adherence 25%. Calls for expanded training and funding to reduce hospital readmissions by 20%.
Key Highlights:
- Burden: 2.2M UK adults with chronic wounds; community care 70%.
- MDT: 30% better healing with podiatry/nutrition input.
- Telehealth: 25% ↑ adherence; remote monitoring for exudate/infection.
- Barriers: Access (rural 40% delay), training gaps (50% nurses lack certification).
- Best Practices: TIME assessment; TCC offloading; silicone foams for pain.
Keywords: chronic wound management, community nursing, MDT, telehealth, DFU