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Review
. 2025 Mar-Apr;52(2):101-103.
doi: 10.1097/WON.0000000000001159. Epub 2025 Mar 20.

Clean Versus Sterile: Management of Chronic Wounds

Andrew Storer  1   2   3   4   5   6   7 , Susan Cali  1   2   3   4   5   6   7 , Kaitlin Denson  1   2   3   4   5   6   7 , Lindyce Kulik  1   2   3   4   5   6   7 , Julie McCord  1   2   3   4   5   6   7 , Denise Paoline  1   2   3   4   5   6   7
Affiliations
Review

Clean Versus Sterile: Management of Chronic Wounds

Andrew Storer et al. J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs. 2025 Mar-Apr.

Abstract

There is insufficient conclusive evidence to provide definitive guidance for the use of clean versus sterile technique in the management of chronic wounds. This article reviews the evolution of evidence and practices for sterile versus clean management of chronic wounds. It is an update of documents developed in 2001 and updated in 2012. It summarizes the work of a task force of APIC and WOCN members and provides an evidence-based perspective on the ongoing debate between clean and sterile techniques in chronic wound management.

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References

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