WOUND CARE

Prepared by:Dr. Irene Roco

Outline

• Definition , types of Wound• Purposes of Wound Dressing• Types of Wound dressing• Practice Guidelines• Things to remember

Wound

• an injury to living tissue caused by a cut, blow, or other impact, typically one in which the skin is cut or broken.

Types of Wounds: A – Intentional – therapeutic

1.Surgical operations2.Venipuncture

B – Unintentional – accidental; caused by trauma3. Open – skin or mucous membranes surface is broken4. closed – tissues are traumatized without a break in the skin

Purposes of Wound Dressing

1.Protect wound from mechanical injury and microbial contamination

2.Provide or maintain moist wound healing3.Provide thermal insulation4.Absorb drainage or debride a wound5.Prevent hemorrhage6.Holding medication in place

Types of Wound Dressing

Types and sizes of dressing differ depends on:• Location, size and type of wound• amount of exudate • Whether the wound requires debridement or is infected• Frequency of dressing change, ease or difficulty of dressing

application and cost

1. Gauze dressing: highly absorbent nature makes them ideal for covering fresh wound (bleeding)

2. Transparent dressing: (OP-Site) allow to assess wounds including ulcerated or burned skin areas. Commonly are used to cover peripheral &central IV.

Advantages:• Act as temporary skin• Non porous, non absorbent; self adhesive, does not require

changing; often left in place until healing has occurred or as long as it remains intact• Wound can be assessed• Wound remains moist• Can be placed over a joint because it is elastic• Adhere only to the skin around the wound, not on the wound

itself• Client can shower or bath without removing the dressing

3. Hydrocolloid dressing: (DuoDerm) air-and water-occlusive coverings; used over pressure ulcer. Keep wound moist which is help in healing process. May left for 1week.

Advantages: Limitations

Lasts 3-7 days Occlusive, opaque, obscure wound visibility

Water resistant; don’t need a cover Limited absorption capacity

Act as temporary skinCan be molded to uneven skin

Can facilitate aerobic microbial growth

Decrease pain reducing the need for analgesics

Can soften and wrinkle the edges with wear and tear movement Difficult to remove and may leave a residue on the skin Should not be used for infected wounds or those with deep tracts or fistulas

Practice Guidelines

1. Follow standard precautions for personal protection. 2. Use solutions (isotonic saline, wound cleanser) to clean or irrigate

wounds3. Use gauze squares. Avoid using cotton balls and other products that

shed fibers onto the wound surface4. To retain wound moisture, avoid drying a wound after cleaning it5. Hold cleaning sponges with forceps or with a sterile gloved hands6. Clean the wound in an outward direction7. Consider not cleaning the wound at all if it appears to be clean

Things to remember▪ Keep unused dressings in the original package or other closed plastic package▪ Store dressings in a clean, dry place▪ Throw out the entire package if any dressings get wet, contaminated, or dirty▪ Place soiled gloves and wrappers in disposal bag, tie or seal the bag, and discard▪ Clean scissors and forceps with alcohol before and after each use

LET’S REVIEW