Today is our topic of discussion Dressing Techniques.
Dressing Techniques
DRESSING TECHNIQUES
The following dressing techniques are easy to do and require no sophisticated equipment. Clean technique is usually sufficient. Pain medication may be required as dressing changes can be painful. Gently cleanse the wound at the time of dressing change.
Wet-to-Dry:
Indication: To clean a dirty or infected wound.
Technique: Moisten a piece of gauze with solution and squeeze out the excess fluid. The gauze should be damp. not soaking wet. Open the gauze and place it over top of the wound to cover. You do not need many layers of wet gauze Place a dry dressing over top. The dressing is allowed to dry out and when it is removed it pulls off the debris. It’s ok to moisten the dressing if it is too stuck.
How often: Ideally, 3-4 times per day. More often on a wound in need of debridement, less often on a cleaner wound. When the wound is clean, change to a wet-to-wet dressing or an antibiotic ointment.
Wet-to-Wet:
Indication: To keep a clean wound clean and prevent build- up of exudates.
Technique: Moisten a piece of gauze with solution and just barely squeeze out the excess fluid so it is not soaking wet. Open the gauze and place it over top of the wound to cover it. Place a dry dressing over top. The gauze should not be allowed to dry or stick to the wound.
How often: Ideally, 2-3 times a day. If the dressing gets too dry, pour saline over the gauze to keep it moist.Antibiotic ointment: Antibiotic ointment is used to keep a wound clean and promote healing.
Technique: Apply ointment to the wound- not a thick layer, just a thin layer is enough. Cover with dry gauze.
How often: 1-2 times per day.
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