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Wound Measurement Tools and Techniques: A Review

2017; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; Volume: 8; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1097/jat.0000000000000050

2159-0524

Deborah M. Wendland, David W. M. Taylor,

Pressure Ulcer Prevention and Management

Background: Chronic wounds in the United States are prevalent and costly, both financially and socially. Wound measurement is a cornerstone of best practice for wound management and reimbursement. For evidence-based best practice, wound measurement should be accurate and reliable to optimize patient care and outcomes. Purpose: The purpose of this narrative review was to articulate available measurement tools and techniques along with their accuracy, reliability, and clinical feasibility. Methods: CINAHL and MEDLINE were searched using combinations of key words related to wound measurement, wound types, measurement tools, reliability, repeatability, accuracy, or feasibility. Results: A total of 71 articles were included. Descriptions of the measurement tools were reported, as well as advantages/disadvantages related to inter- and intrarater reliability, accuracy, and feasibility were extracted. Measurement mechanisms were classified as contact versus noncontact. Measurement mechanisms described include rulers, manual tracing, photography, smartphone technology, laser-assisted technology, and stereophotogrammetry. Conclusion: Accuracy, reliability, and feasibility of wound measurement are critical to optimal evidence-based practice. This review finds that, at a minimum, noncontact measurement methods such as digital planimetry or analysis software should be used along with digital photography. More expensive accurate and reliable options, including laser-assisted technology or stereophotogrammetry, are appropriate if financially feasible.