For the patient, wound infection can lead to poor healing outcomes and has the potential to result in life-threatening sepsis. For healthcare services, additional expense can be incurred due to the need for remedial treatment and extra clinician time. Poor wound infection rates malso attract negative publicity and damage the public’s perception of care standards. This article examines the essential roles played by prevention of infection, early diagnosis and the initiation of effective management strategies.

Martyn Butcher, Independent Tissue Viability and Wound Care Consultant, Devon