What Is It?

Chronic non-healing wounds are defined as wounds that fail to heal in an orderly and timely manner — typically stalled for 4 or more weeks despite appropriate standard care. They may be of any etiology — pressure, venous, arterial, diabetic, or traumatic — but share the common feature of a disrupted or stalled healing process, often due to biofilm, repeated trauma, or underlying comorbidities.

Signs & Symptoms to Look For

• No measurable wound closure progress over 2 or more consecutive visits

• Biofilm presence — slough, fibrin, wound odor disproportionate to wound size

• Wound that deteriorates between visits despite appropriate dressings

• Hypergranulation or wound edges that are undermined or rolled

• Patient reports the wound has been present for months or years

• Prior treatment history without resolution

Risk Factors

• Diabetes and metabolic disorders

• Peripheral vascular disease

• Malnutrition and low albumin

• Chronic steroid or immunosuppressive medication use

• Recurrent wound trauma or pressure

• Uncontrolled infection or persistent biofilm

How Vertex Treats This Wound

• Comprehensive wound reassessment and modified plan of care

• Sharp debridement to remove biofilm and stalled wound edges

• UltraMist therapy to mechanically disrupt biofilm and stimulate healing

• Advanced dressing selection to address wound microenvironment

• Referral for adjunctive therapies if indicated

• Systematic documentation of wound response to each intervention