Bacterial load or burden: Presence of bacterial pathogens in an open wound contributing to wound chronicity and persistence of inflammatory cycle. There are several points along the spectrum of bacterial presence in chronic wounds: contamination, colonization, critical colonization, infection, and sepsis.

Biofilm: A complex microbial community containing bacteria and fungi. The microorganisms synthesize and secrete a protective matrix that attaches the biofilm firmly to a living or non-living surface. The biofilm contributes to underlying wound infection, chronic inflammation, and delay in healing, and it is present in 80% to 90% of chronic wounds and 6% of acute wounds.

Clinical practice guideline: Refers to consensus statements that governmental or professional organizations may issue and are subject to peer review.

Colonization: Microorganism replication on the surface of a wound without host immune response or invasion into wound tissue.

Critical colonization: The proliferation of bacteria in the host, resulting in delayed wound healing, but still without an over host reaction. It is usually associated with increased pain previously not reported. The concept is that bacteria play a role in non-healing wounds that do not have obvious signs and symptoms of infection when in reality, it better describes the presence of biofilm.

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

Infection: The invasion and multiplication of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites with an associated host reaction. Signs of infection may include but are not limited to redness, tenderness, warmth, odor, erythema, swelling, fever, pain, and increased white blood cells.

Periwound: The tissue immediately surrounding the wound itself. Ideally, this tissue should provide a barrier to the wound, thus preventing the wound from spreading, although many chronic wounds display periwound edema with swelling and discoloration.

Wound edge: The area where intact epithelium meets the wound bed or base. Edge descriptors include indistinct, attached, unattached, rolled or epibole, hyperkeratotic or callused, and fibrotic or indurated.

Wound hygiene: A four-step regimen designed to clean and decontaminate wounds to overcome barriers to healing and encourage closure. The steps are cleansing, debridement, refashioning edges, and dressing the wound.

The views and opinions expressed in this blog are solely those of the author, and do not represent the views of WoundSource, HMP Global, its affiliates, or subsidiary companies.