The ultimate goal of treating any wound is healing. However, with some patients ithas to be recognised that for whatever reason this might not be possible.

There are two types of wound:

Acute - A wound that a practitioner would expect to heal along a time frame that is reasonable, such as within weeks or months. This is assuming that the right treatment is prescribed and maintained.

Chronic - A wound that is stuck in any one phase of the wound-healing process for a prolonged period of time.

Wound care management

No matter what type of wound is being treated, it is essential that the patient’s quality of life is improved. Mark Collier, Tissue Viability Nurse Consultant, suggests that enhancing quality of life is more than just about treating the physical aspects of the wound. Psychological aspects, social aspects, economical aspects and spiritual aspects should also be incorporated into a patient’s treatment. 

Building up a trusting relationship with a patient is paramount to improving their outcomes. Mark Collier uses the example of a young woman, Zoe, who has had a long standing lesion on the lower region of her leg for five years.

“For the first few times that she visited... I would take my white coat off, try to talk to her very much as a friend, as an individual. She became much more outgoing. I'm pleased to say she's now married, talking very positively about planning things in the future.”

On living with a wound, Zoe says: “When I talk to anyone seeking help, it is never give up, and always, always ask to be involved in your treatment and what the doctors are telling you. Always make sure you understand what they're telling you, because that way, if you need to go to a different doctor or a different nurse, you'll be able to explain to them exactly what has to be done and how it needs to be done.”

Sally describes her experience of living with a wound: “Eight years ago, I knocked my leg on a piece of wood, and it slowly developed into an ulcer. I was trying various dressings and then they referred me to see Mark Collier at Pilgrim Hospital. A year last December time, he put me on a new clinical trial for a new dressing, and it's gradually getting better. I do some of the dressings myself, because a few years ago I wanted to go on holiday and I checked with the doctors and they said it was OK and they showed me how to do it. And that enables me to travel and go on holiday or go away for a few days. I went to Turkey last year; St. Lucia.”

Mark Collier urges all patients living with a wound to be open with their treatment specialist: “The best advice I can give to any patient, if they're unhappy with what's happening, or they perceive there's a problem with their wound and their dressings, they mustn't take them off themselves. They should report it immediately to their health care professional who will come out and look at the wound with them.”

In association with United Lincolnshire Hospitals, NHS.

Supported by 3M Health Care

Mark Collier, BA(Hons), RN, ONC, RCNT, RNT
Lead Nurse/Consultant - Tissue Viability, United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust, Pilgrim Hospital, Sibsey Road, Lincs