Wound assessment and documentation: rationale and guidance

Understanding the components of a holistic wound assessment is essential to inform clinical care and monitor progress. This article will outline the fundamental elements of an evidence-based wound assessment based on criteria agreed by a panel of clinical experts, and discuss best practice in wound assessment and documentation. This article reveals that wound assessment encompasses more than the assessment of the wound bed. The nurse has a fundamental role in ensuring that the wound type and aetiology are reported, establishing patient treatment goals and identifying holistic patient factors that may delay wound healing, including the influence the wound, unmanaged symptoms and treatments have on psychological wellbeing and quality of life.