Wound therapy in Poland is unsystematic. Nurses sound the alarm: "A wound is not a temporary condition; it's a therapeutic and social problem."
Nurses in Poland deal with chronic wounds every day, but often without sufficient competencies, procedures, or systemic support. A study conducted as part of the "Wounds Under Control" campaign shows that as many as 76% of respondents require additional training, while only 40% have access to current procedures. Experts are calling for concrete decisions and the recognition of wound care as a distinct field of medicine.
Although most nurses in Poland regularly encounter wound care—most often pressure ulcers, ulcers, surgical wounds, or diabetic foot ulcers—only 40% of them have access to clearly described procedures in the workplace. Moreover, as many as 14.5% are unaware of whether such guidelines even exist in their facility.
Organizational deficiencies translate into real problems in daily practice. 76% of respondents declare the need to acquire additional competencies, including those related to dressing selection (91%), wound diagnosis (74%), and antiseptic principles (75%).
Nurses know they want and can treat patients more effectively. However, they lack the tools.
"A wound is not a temporary condition; a wound is a therapeutic and social problem. Lack of patient education, incomplete nursing skills, and difficult coordination of therapeutic teams all contribute to the fact that care for people with chronic wounds is not as effective as it could be," says Jolanta Dynarska, M.A., a member of the Expert Council of the "Wounds Under Control" campaign.
Dynarska emphasizes that without systemic changes, we will continue to act on an ad hoc basis, instead of preventing complications. This translates not only into patient suffering but also higher costs for the healthcare system.
One in four nurses treats wounds several times a week, and 41% several times a month. It's no wonder that 76% of respondents would like to see their powers expanded, for example, to include the ability to refer patients for X-rays, ultrasounds, or laboratory tests.
Only 8% of respondents believe that the current pricing for wound care procedures is sufficient. Furthermore, 61% are unaware of how these procedures are financed. More than half of nurses believe that wound care should be a separate specialty, and 86% believe that the topic should be more widely covered in professional education.
There's a lack of not only expertise and resources, but also collaboration. Half of the respondents believe collaboration with physicians is insufficient. Meanwhile, experts emphasize that effective wound care must be team-based.
– “If at any level there is a lack of trained personnel, access to appropriate materials, time, or clear procedures, the entire system loses effectiveness, and the patient suffers the consequences – pain, complications, sepsis, loss of limb, and sometimes even death,” says Przemysław Lipiński, MD, PhD, president of the Polish Wound Management Society.
Chronic wound care isn't a niche. It's a serious health issue that requires a strategy. Certifications, clinical pathways, and specific resources are essential.
"Nurses, however, are always closest to the patient. They have experience and contact with the patient, but they lack clear competencies, diagnostic tools, and real specialist support," adds Lipiński.
The "Wounds Under Control" campaign clearly shows where the gaps lie. Experts urge: decisions are needed, not declarations. An organized wound care system is an investment in patient health and real savings for the healthcare system.
Source of study:
Study of nursing needs in the field of professional wound care, "Wounds under Control" campaign, February–March 2025.
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