Today is our topic of discussion Procedure of Wound/Surgical Dressing.
Procedure of Wound/Surgical Dressing
PROCEDURE OF WOUND/SURGICAL DRESSING
- Position the patient comfortably Expose the dressing site.
- Instruct not to touch wound, equipment or dressing.
- Wash hands.
- Open dressing pack.
- Transfer extra cotton balls and gauze pieces into the dressing pack if the wound is large.
- Pour cleaning solution into the dressing cup.
- Cover the pack without contaminating the inner layer.
- Place dressing mackintosh and towel under the part and place clean K-basin over mackintosh
- Remove outer dressing.
- Use ether to remove adherent adhesive.
- Leave the inner dressing if it does not come out with outer dressing.
- If wound drain is present, remove one layer at a time.
- Do surgical hand washing Wear gloves if the wound is contaminated.
- Flip open the dressing pack cover by inserting fingers in the inner layer of the wrapper.
- Using thumb forceps, pick up cotton ball and wet it in saline.
- Using artery clamp and thumb forceps, soak adherent gauze squeezing the cotton ball over the gauze Using the same artery clamp, remove the gauze and dispose in the plastic bag.
- Discard the artery clamp.
- Observe the character and amount of drain and assess the condition of the wound
- Use only thumb forceps to pick up cotton balls).
- Pick up cotton balls every time using only the thumb forceps and soak in cleaning solution.
- Squeeze out excess solution from the cotton balls into the kidney basin (sterile).
- Clean the wound (clean to dirty) with firm stroke using the artery clamp.
- Discard used cotton balls into the clean K-basin.
- Use only one cotton ball for each stroke.
- Ensure wound is thoroughly cleaned Finally, clean the skin in proximity to the wound edge, with strokes away from the wound.
- Soak gauze piece in the dressing solution, squeeze out excess solution, spread it keeping it over the sterile field.
- Apply over the wound, fully covering the wound with medicated gauze pieces .
- Apply dry gauze pieces over the medicated gauze pieces.
- Apply pad if the wound is large or lot of exudates is present in the wound.
- Discard gloves if used.
- Discard the used artery clamp and thumb forceps into the clean K-basin .
- Secure dressing with adhesive/bandage.
After Care
- Assist the patient to dress up and to take a comfortable position
- Change the garments if soiled with drainage
- Remove the mackintosh and towel. Replace the bed linen
- Take all articles to the utility room.
- Discard the soiled dressing into a covered container and send for incineration
- Wash hands and record the procedure on the nurse’s record with date and time
- Teach the patient/family about wound care and signs and symptoms of infection.
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