Wound-care guide · Patients and families
When a wound is not healing: practical next steps
Watching a wound stall is frustrating. The next useful step is a fresh review of the diagnosis, blood flow, pressure, swelling, infection risk, nutrition and the treatment being carried out each day.
Confirm that the treatment is being carried out as ordered
Ask whether another specialty or test is needed
Questions to ask
A stalled wound is a reason to reassess, not simply repeat the same plan indefinitely.
- Is the diagnosis still correct?
- Has circulation been evaluated?
- Is pressure or swelling being controlled?
- Are infection, medications, nutrition or smoking affecting treatment?
Information to bring
The clinician needs a clear record of the wound and what has already been tried.
- Prior measurements and treatment dates
- Current products and dressing frequency
- Relevant vascular, surgical or laboratory results
- Changes in pain, drainage, odor or surrounding skin
Prompt reviewA wound that is enlarging, developing dark tissue, producing new odor or drainage, or accompanied by fever or worsening pain should be reviewed promptly.
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