A novel wound dressing composed of nano-silver and chitosan was fabricated using a nanometer and self-assembly technology. Sterility and pyrogen testing assessed biosafety, and efficacy was evaluated using Sprague-Dawley rats with deep partial-thickness wounds. Silver sulfadiazine and chitosan film dressings were used as controls. At intervals wound areas were measured, wound tissues biopsied and blood samples taken. Compared with the controls, the silver nanocrystalline chitosan dressing significantly (p<0.01) increased the rate of wound healing and was associated with silver levels in blood and tissues lower than levels associated with the silver sulfadiazine dressing (p<0.01). Sterility and pyrogen tests of the silver nanocrystalline chitosan dressing were negative. Thus this dressing should have wide application in clinical settings.