title: Understanding physiology of wound healing and how dressings help.
abstract: One of the most fascinating features of the human body is its ability to repair damaged tissue. When the skin is injured a complex process occurs. The natural healing process can be divided into four distinct stages: inflammatory, granulation, epithelization and maturation. This process can take up to 2 years. Brunner and Suddarth (1992) classified wound healing into three stages: primary; secondary; and tertiary. Many factors affect how long a wound will take to heal, e.g. concurrent illnesses, nutritional status and the dressing used. A holistic approach to wound care is the key, and if all the factors are not addressed then wound healing will not prevail.
authors.affiliation: Queen's Hospital, Burton Hospitals NHS Trust, Burton on Trent, Staffordshire.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Russell
mesh_terms: D001458:Bandages / Q000191:economics / Q000600:supply & distribution; D015897:Comorbidity; D005122:Exudates and Transudates; D006097:Granulation Tissue / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010349:Patient Compliance; D018579:Patient Selection; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000451:nursing* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology