Expert consensus: Optimising debridement strategies for effective management of local wound infection

Effective wound bed preparation (WBP) within the context of holistic patient care forms the foundation of wound care, removing barriers to healing, reducing the risk of infection and other complications, and optimising outcomes. All treatment must be tailored to the needs of the patient and their wound, being informed by thorough and timely assessments. Identifying and addressing physical barriers to healing – such as devitalised tissue, infection and excess exudate – facilitates healing and reduces infection risk.

As such, debridement is a key step of WBP that is often underused in practice, despite recognition of the growing importance of debridement for many wounds, especially wounds that are infected or at risk of infection.

It is important to note there are now many different methods of debridement, many of which can be carried out by generalist and non-specialist staff and should be used as part of the WBP process.

A multidimensional approach to WBP – using products that simultaneously cleanse, debride, and manage infection and biofilm – increases efficiency in clinical practice. Using a single product that addresses these aspects can reduce dressing complexity while supporting cost savings, minimising waste and contributing to environmental sustainability.

Chronic wounds have a significant impact on patients’ lives and are challenging for healthcare professionals to treat; failure to implement evidence-based practice can prolong patient suffering and lead to wound complications such as infection. As rates of chronic wounds continue to increase, it is necessary to view this in context of the wider socioeconomic landscape.

Potential contributing factors include: an ageing population, increases in comorbidities and general poor health across all age groups.Socioeconomic challenges, such as increased cost of living, higher unemployment rates and growing prevalence of mental health conditions including anxiety and depression, further compound the issue.

Working towards health equity for all patients means that evidence-based care is more important than ever, providing standardised gold-standard care for all. Resource and time limitations, alongside staff shortages in the current climate, make simplifying evidence-based care a priority. Simplifying wound management can ease the burden on healthcare professionals while increasing opportunities for supported self-care.

In line with the NHS’s 2025 ‘10 Year Health Plan for England: fit for the future’ (Department of Health and Social Care, 2025), nurses are increasingly leading on complex wound care. As their roles expand, it is essential they are supported with simplified, evidence-based tools to deliver effective care efficiently.

A group of experts met online on 1 April 2025 to discuss practical strategies to simplify and improve clinical practice. Discussions included the development of a structured framework to guide decision-making and support standardisation, with particular emphasis on areas such as debridement practice, in order to promote consistency and improve health equity.

While there is a great deal of information in the literature about debridement and WBP, this document aims to link theory to practice, providing guidance that is practical and useful for clinicians at all levels, facilitating genuine change.

This document aims to demystify debridement and increase all clinicians’ knowledge and confidence in selecting appropriate and accessible debridement methods and using multidimensional dressings to facilitate multiple elements of WBP.