WOUND DRESSING AT HOME – Purpose, Principle of Wound Dressing, Advantages of Dressing, Types of Dressing, Equipment Needed and Procedure (NURSING PROCEDURE)
A surgical wound dressing is a protection with a sterile covering of gauze or other materials applied over a wound after cleaning it with all aseptic precautions
PURPOSE
- To clean the wounded area
- To dress the wounds to prevent infection
- To promote wound healing
PRINCIPLES OF WOUND DRESSING
- Everything that comes with a wound must be sterilized in the most effective way consists with facilities in the home, school and industry
- Hand washing must be done before handling the equipment and dressing the wound
- Boil instruments, cotton swabs, vigorously for 5 minutes
- The chief chemical disinfectant used in the care of wound is alcohol
- The chief purpose in caring for a wound is to prevent infection since tissues under the skin are less resistant than the skin to infection
ADVANTAGES OF DRESSING
- To absorb drainage
- To prevent contamination
- To protect the wound from mechanical injuries
- To promote homeostasis as in a pressure dressing
- To provide mental and physical comfort of the patient
TYPES OF DRESSING
- Dry dressing: the wound is cleaned by some antiseptics and dried and dry dressing is applied after the application of medicine to the wound
- Wet dressing: it is used if wounds are infected and if there is lot of pus, to soften the discharge and to promote drainage
- Pressure dressing: this is done when there is bleeding or oozing from the wound
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
- Instruments: artery forceps, thumb forceps and scissors
- Dressing pack: gauze pad – 1, gauze pieces – 2, cotton balls – 3
- Large bowl with lid (autoclaved) to put all the articles to boil
- Small bowl medications, K-basin/paper bag
- Dressing bandage/plaster to secure the dressing
- Spirit, betadine or any other antiseptic solutions to apply in the wound
PROCEDURE
- Select the working area, spread the newspaper and place the community bag
- Unbutton the lower compartment and remove hand washing articles
- Wash the hands thoroughly and remove the articles needed for dressing and keep it in a sterile area
- Remove the entire old dressing from the wound and use sterile saline or hydrogen peroxide for cleaning the wound
- Clean the wounded area from center to the periphery by a cotton pieces and discard in paper bag
- Use artery forceps for cleaning the wound with antiseptic solution
- Apply ointment as per standing order with swab stick
- Apply sterile dressing and fasten it with a bandage or strip of plaster
- Secure the surgical dressing with adhesive plaster
- Wash hands thoroughly and record it the family folder
- Replace the articles after cleaning and boiling
- Discard or dispose the used dressings or burn it
