Wound assessment – the foundation of wound care

Wound healing consists of 3 phases: inflammation, proliferation and remodelling.¹ In normal wound healing, the cellular activities in each phase synchronise to allow progression to the next phase. ² Disturbance of the wound bed and surrounding tissue, for example from hypoxia or infection, will lead to disharmony of these activities and impaired healing.^2,3 

The annual cost of managing chronic wounds in one year in the United Kingdom (UK) is estimated to be £5.6 billion compared with £2.7 billion for those that heal.⁴ Over three quarters of the cost of managing chronic wounds were incurred in the community.⁴ Wound assessment is crucial to establish the aim of care and select the appropriate treatment, including dressing.