Chronic wound: A wound that has failed to progress toward healing in a predetermined, evidence-based amount of time. Varying factors can cause a wound to stall, such as infection or a prolonged inflammatory phase. 

Complex wound: A wound with one or more complicating factors, such as exudate, infection, comorbidity, polypharmacy, or others. 

Debridement: The procedural act of removing non-viable tissue, along with any debris, from the wound. Multiple debridement methods exist, including autolytic, biologic, hydrosurgical, mechanical, sharp, surgical, and ultrasonic. 

Evidence-based clinical practice: Making decisions about patient care based on literature evidence regarding a particular topic. This practice involves combining clinical expertise, patient preferences, and best available evidence from high-quality research.

Exudate: Fluid drainage originating from tissue in the wound bed in response to injury or inflammation. Exudate types are serous or clear, sanguineous or bloody, purulent or seropurulent. Exudate quantity may be described as none, scant, small or minimal, moderate, large, or copious.

Granulation tissue: Tissue found in wounds beginning to heal. It is marked by pink or red tissue and may appear moist or shiny with an irregular or granular surface. Healthy granulation tissue contains new vessels, tissue, fibroblasts, and inflammatory cells.

Hard-to-heal wound: A wound that fails to heal with standard therapy in an orderly and timely manner. Some suggest using this term instead of “chronic wound” because it is believed that “chronic” does not inspire a sense of urgency in treating these wounds.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs): A group of enzymes that break down the extracellular matrix and delay healing. They are often found in excessive amounts in chronic wounds and wound exudate.

Offloading: The mechanical process of distributing weight and dynamic forces evenly.

Wound balance: A concept placing the patient at the center of care, integrating continuity, individualized, tailored plans, and clinical decision-making. A concept placing the patient at the center of care, integrating continuity, individualized, tailored plans, and clinical decision-making.