TY - CHAP M1 - Book, Section TI - Evaluation of the Patient with a Wound A1 - Hamm, Rose A1 - Carey, Joseph N. PY - 2021 T2 - Essential Elements of Wound Diagnosis AB - The evaluation of the patient with a non-healing wound consists of the following three components: subjective history, medical history, and wound assessment. The histories usually allows the clinician to make a diagnosis of wound etiology, and if not, at least indicate what needs to be ruled out. Thorough histories also give indications as to why a wound is not healing. The wound assessment provides data for objective, measurable outcomes and progress, as well as information on how to treat the wound initially. The most important aspects of treating any wound are to treat all underlying co-morbidities and to address any issues that may be impeding wound healing. Finally, the initial treatment will consist of appropriate debridement of necrotic tissue and application of a dressing that will ensure adequate moisture for wound healing to advance. Signs and symptoms that suggest the patient be referred to the primary care physician, a medical specialist, or the emergency room are listed in Table 1-1. SN - PB - McGraw Hill CY - New York, NY Y2 - 2024/10/12 UR - accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1179615707 ER -