This study aimed at analyzing the legal responsibilities of the professional pertinent to surgical debridement. It consists of a documental study with categorical data analysis. Data were collected through the websites of the Regional Nursing Councils. The material was submitted to the content analysis technique. Results revealed three categories: document subject and text theme, definition and classification of debridement a diversity of concepts and conclusion of documents concerning the nurse's legal competence in the performance of surgical debridement. The results of this categorical analysis showed the need for a single federal organizational policy to standardize the practice of conservative surgical debridement by nurses, considering: the standardization of terms, so as to avoid different interpretations and attitudes; and limits of execution, considering indications and contraindications to the cited method, as well as prerequisites for the necessary qualification.
Nursing; Wound healing; Debridement
