Developing pathways to support clinical practice in the identification and management of wound infection

Diagnosing infection in a wound can be difficult, particularly if classic signs of infection are not present. However, infection is most frequently cited as the reason for delayed wound healing, with patients experiencing increasing pain or new pain, increasing exudate and odour. This article explores the development and implementation of a local pathway for effective management of wound infection using antimicrobial wound dressings in an attempt to reduce spend and improve clinical outcomes by supporting clinical decision making.