The Singapore Family Physician

Back to issue Vol 40 No. 3 - Wound Care

MANAGEMENT OF COMPLEX WOUNDS

Tan Mui Lan
Goh Boon Ai Susie

The Singapore Family Physician Vol 40 No 3 - Wound Care
27 - 31
1 September 2014
0377-5305
With the ageing of our population and rise in chronic disease has led to the complex profile of the patients in the community. Diabetic foot ulcers, infected pressure ulcers and other complications of non-healing wounds are common encounters in the primary health settings. The challenges of these complex wounds lie in its multi-factorial nature of the person, the wound and the environment. This requires a team approach to care within the limited resources boundary. As part of the care continuum, it is essential for primary care physicians to be familiarised with the approach to care of complex wounds and the adjunct therapy. This article seeks to provide a broad framework to guide primary care physicians/clinicians in their approach to complex wounds. It entails comprehensive approach in assessment of the wound etiology using the T.I.M.E approach to guide the diagnosis, treatment and use of adjunct therapy. It provides relevant update on current evidences in complex wound management to improve clinical outcomes of the persons’ with chronic wound. This article will highlight the complexities faced in the care of chronic wounds and the recent advances in wound care to translate into effective management strategies to provide better clinical care to our patients.