Discussion
The results show that both the acute and community sectors
were well represented by delegates in the infection zone,
although there were surprisingly few staff from care homes.
Given the concern about lack of access to ongoing clinical
education for care home staff (Spilsbury et al, 2015), it is
disappointing that not more attended this free event. Perhaps
there is a need for greater liaison between wound-care link
nurses and nursing/care homes to ensure that education on
wound care (and publicity about educational events) is more
widely disseminated.
As expected, particularly given that a large proportion
worked in a community setting, most of the delegates
(59%) dealt with wounds on a daily basis. Almost all health
professionals (90%) correctly identified the symptoms of
infection, although it is disappointing that 10% selected
incorrect answers. The fact that not all of the respondents had
a full understanding of the symptoms of clinical infection is
worrying, particularly given the increase in sepsis that we are
witnessing in clinical practice (White et al, 2015).
Similarly, when asked to identify the characteristics of an
infected wound, it is of concern that even as small a figure as
2% inaccurately selected epithelial islands with intact peri-
wound skin as a clinical sign of infection. While the reason for
this is unknown, it could partly reflect the fact that wound care
is limited in pre-registration nurse training, resulting in some