Theory of moist wound healing

Tissue viability practice has evolved over the past 50 years in relation to the theory of wound healing and wound care practices. Some form of wound care intervention is inevitably carried out by nurses from most areas in the primary care setting, from tissue viability specialist nurses and district or practice nurses who participate in the care of wounds on a daily basis right through to nurse practitioners who may not deal with wounds directly, but may intervene for instances of wound infection or wound-related issues. From the statistics available, chronic wound care is estimated to affect 200 000 people in the UK and costs between £2-3 billion per year.¹ Therefore, having the appropriate knowledge of wound healing, assessment skills and implementing appropriate treatment plans is vital to improving patient's quality of life and potential for wound healing.