2 Exploring the link between the clinical challenges of wound exudate and infection

Abstract

Exudate and infection are two of the key challenges facing clinicians in the management of wounds, especially chronic wounds. The associated increased use of healthcare resources and nursing time are also important consequences. What we cannot underestimate, however, is the challenge for patients and their carers of living with wounds that impact on the quality of their daily lives, causing misery and distress. This article focuses on the importance of exudate as a marker of infection and the link between the two. It looks at infection and the difficulties confronting clinicians in managing wound bioburden when sometimes the wound appears not to give any clues, or at the least, very subtle ones that could easily be missed. The pivotal role of ongoing patient assessment and wound assessment is discussed; timely intervention is seen as the key to management.