Haavatavust

Haavatavust is a term describing wound care and support provided to manage injuries and promote healing. The concept encompasses prevention of wounds, rapid assessment following injury, cleaning, dressing, infection prevention, and rehabilitation to restore skin integrity and function. It occurs across prehospital, clinical, and home-care settings.

Wound assessment distinguishes acute wounds (cuts, lacerations, surgical wounds) from chronic wounds (pressure ulcers, venous ulcers, diabetic ulcers). Evaluation includes size, depth, wound bed, tissue type, amount and type of exudate, color, edges, perfusion to the area, signs of infection, pain, and patient factors such as comorbidities and mobility. Documentation is standardized to track healing and guide treatment.

Treatment principles begin with initial care focused on cleaning with isotonic saline, removing debris, and controlling bleeding. Debridement may be used to remove non-viable tissue under sterile conditions. Dressing selection aims to maintain a moist wound environment while protecting from infection; options range from hydrogel and hydrocolloid to foam and alginate dressings, including some advanced products. Antimicrobial agents are used selectively based on infection risk and guidelines. Pain control and tetanus vaccination status are considered. In some cases, advanced therapies such as negative-pressure wound therapy or skin substitutes may be employed. Mobilization, compression therapy for suitable chronic wounds, and patient education on self-care are important components.

Settings and roles: haavatavust is delivered by nurses, physicians, paramedics, and wound-care specialists, with emphasis on patient education, home-care instructions, and regular follow-up to monitor healing and adjust treatment.