One of the most fundamental principles of nursing is to return the patient to optimal functioning. Helping a wound heal is one of the most basic tasks, but it can be complicated by many factors. The patient should be evaluated for any factors that could affect wound healing. Providing the best care must start with knowledge of wounds, their healing and the equipment available. Synopsis Wound healing is widespread for a variety of wounds, many of which are pressure ulcers in geriatric patients. The baby boom generation is very large and over the next 30 years the aging population will increase enormously, increasing the need for wound care. All nurses must be trained in the latest and best practices in wound healing. According to Casey in the journal Kai Tiaki Nursing (2012), over the past twenty years, the dressings available for wound healing have increased exponentially, now including fifty-eight categories. The nurse is responsible for selecting the best dressing for a specific wound to promote optimal healing. The idea behind the bandages has also changed. Previously, dressings were designed to keep a wound dry, absorb secretions, and prevent infection (Casey, 2012). Today, dressings are designed to aid healing, provide a moist environment, debridement, infection control, thermal insulations and possible suction to eliminate drainage and draw oxygen and nutrients back to the bed. wound (Casey, 2012). Relevance Effective and appropriate wound care is expensive, according to Kaufman and Pahl's article in Dermatology Nursing (2003), caring for a pressure ulcer can easily cost $23,465 and take an average of 247 days to heal. Research by Kaufman and Pahl (2003) showed great success in treating a pressure ulcer with a vacuum-assisted closure device, showing closure in 97 days and costing only $14,564. The cost of treatment is strongly correlated with healing time. According to van Anholt, Sobotka, Meijer, Heyman, Groen, Topinkova, van Leen, and Schols (2010), if you reduce the size of the wound, you use fewer dressings, spend less time, and ultimately, less money for wound care. Needing knowledge about dressings, the nurse must know the types of wounds and factors affecting healing. Injuries that require treatment may be acute or chronic (existing for more than twelve weeks) (Casey, 2012). Wounds will have to go through the four stages of healing: inflammation, proliferation, re-epithelialization and maturation (Casey, 2012). For a wound to heal, it must remain open and heal from the inside out..