Wound care: the healing process.

When caring for a patient with a wound, regardless of its aetiology, a thorough assessment of the patient, the wound and any other relevant factors must be undertaken before care can be planned, if a successful outcome is to be achieved and realistic time scales set. Accurate wound assessment and appropriate care planning is dependant upon an understanding of the physiology of healing and any factors that may potentially delay or prolong the healing process. To be accurate and meaningful the information recorded should be concise, objective and comprehensive.