Wound dressingby: Nelson Munthali Dip/RN

definition

0This is a process of cleaning and covering the wound

AIMS OF WOUND DRESSINGTo keep the wound cleanTo lessen spread of micro organismsTo hasten tissue healingTo absorb or localise drainage of woundTo support injured part

indications

0Open wounds0 Infected wounds0Removal of stitches, staples or clips0Shortening or removing drains

Equipment required

0 Trolley with Top shelfSterile dressing pack containing; dressing forcepscotton and gauze swabs towels 2 pairs of dissecting forcepskidney dish Hand towelSterile glovesSterile cheatle forcepsgalipot

Bottom shelf

Bandages, disposable glovesPair of scissorsAdhesive tapeTopical drugs if requiredAntiseptic solution as orderedKidney dish for contaminated instrumentsReceiver for used towelsReceiver for used swabs

Additional equipment

Drum with sterile swabs and gauzeMackintoshDrapeStitch removal pack

procedure

Patient preparation0Explain the procedure to the patient to gain

cooperation and consent0Screen bed and close nearby windows for privacy0Assist the patient to lie in the most appropriate and

comfortable position considering the site of the wound and condition of the patient.

0Expose only the area to be dressed for privacy and diginity.

Equipment preparation

0Clean trolley with antiseptic0Assemble all equipment0Wheel the trolley to patients bed side.

method

0Wash hands with soap and running water for 10-30 seconds

0Put on gloves to prevent infections0Loosen and remove outer dressing and discard in

pedal bin in readiness for dressing 0Scrub hands vigorously with soap for at least five

minutes 0Dry hands with a sterile towel

Method ct….

0Put on sterile gloves0Ask an assistant to open sterile pack with cheatle

forceps0Arrange the sterile equipment appropriately0Ask assistant to pour antiseptic solution in galipot0Remove inner dressing using sterile dissecting forceps

Method ct..

0Discard the forceps in a kidney dish or bottom shelf0Place sterile towel appropriately around area to be

cleaned0Use dressing forceps and swabs dipped in antiseptic

solution to clean the wound0Swab the wound in strokes from the inside out using

each swab once and discard0 If infected clean from clean area to dirty area

Method ct..

0Repeat until the wound is clean0Remove any loose dead tissue0Dry the wound with gauze swab0Apply sterile dressing with forceps0Discard the forceps into kidney dish on bottom shelf0Secure dressing with strapping or bandage0Thank and leave the patient comfortably

NOTE

0Squeeze out all pus from the wound 0 If a drain is present, clean it after the incision0Remove stitches after cleaning the wound0Remove or shorten the drain after cleaning the drain

site0Dress patients with clean wounds first

After the procedure

0 Remove the screens and open the windows0 Decontaminate, remove and discard gloves and wash

hands0 Wheel trolley to treatment room0 Put on surgical gloves0 Decontaminate instruments0 Disinfect and clean trolley and leave it at its place0 Take towels to dirty linen container0 Decontaminate gloved hands, remove gloves and wash

hands