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Wound Dressing in Bhubaneswar

Dressing

Wound Dressing in Bhubaneswar

In surgical settings, dressing refers to a sterile covering placed over a wound or surgical site after a procedure. These dressings serve numerous functions, such as preventing contamination of the wound, absorbing exudates, and promoting healing.

The process of dressing a wound involves several steps:

  • First off, the area is cleaned and disinfected to reduce the risk of infection.

  • Thereafter, suitable dressing materials, like gauge or specialised wound dressing, are used according to the type and severity of the wound.

  • The whole dressing has been applied very carefully over the entire wound with any medical tape or band. Medical tapes are used to hold them together.

After placing the dressing, it is important to monitor the wound for signs concerning infection, pain, growth, swelling, and drainage from affected areas. Changing the wound cover and following hygienic practices are critical aspects of post-operative care that ensure effective healing takes place while reducing the chances of complications.

FAQ's

Depending on the nature, extent, and location of the wound, a dressing may have a variety of functions, all of which are intended to aid in healing and shield against additional damage. Important goals for dressing are:

  • Stop the bleeding: to speed up the clotting process by helping to seal the wound

  • Prevention of infection: to shield the wound from bacteria and external trauma

  • Absorb exudate: absorb blood, plasma, and other fluids that have leaked from the wound to keep them contained 

  • Reduce pain: The goal of dressing is to reduce pain, either using compression, medication-assisted analgesia or protecting the affected region from further trauma

  • To promote healing: to remove slough and foreign objects from the wound

  • Decrease psychological stress: by hiding a healing wound from the patient's and other people's eyes.

There are two types of dressing: Primary dressing and secondary dressing.

  • Primary dressing: a dressing that touches the wound.

  • Secondary dressing: this type of dressing is responsible for keeping the primary dressing on the site.

Some dressings can act both as primary and secondary.

  • The process is carried out in a treatment area designated specifically for dressings.

  • Throughout the process, you are seated in a comfortable environment where your privacy is maintained.

  • If this is your first session, you will be explained the process and asked for your cooperation.

  • A medical professional will assess the wound and select the best sort of dressing.

  • The nurse uses a hand rub that contains alcohol to sanitise her hands. An antiseptic, or surface disinfectant, is applied to the wound site. An aseptic dressing is applied to the wound site and bound with a bandage or adhesive tape.

  • Depending on the wound, the total procedure takes no more than 15 to 20 minutes.

  • Usually, dressings are changed once a day or every other day to prevent interfering with the environment that promotes wound healing. 

  • Typically, a Tegaderm dressing needs to be changed every three days. Therefore, to prevent delays, you can pre-schedule your next visit with the nurse.

The several types of modern wound dressings, together with their benefits and drawbacks, therapeutic uses, and basic guidelines for how often to change them, are listed below.

Gauze: When removed, moistened gauze offers mechanical debridement.

  • Benefits: Gauze is inexpensive and easily accessible.

  • Drawbacks: Gauze has the drawback of not being moisture-retentive. This dressing performs non-selective debridement, so changing it may result in the removal of newly formed granulation tissue. A secondary dressing is necessary, as this dressing is prone to bacterial contamination.

  • Clinical Use: This covers the initial phases of deeper wounds that need to be packed.

  • Changes in Dressing Frequency: If dressing is used for packing, change it several times a day.

Films: Transparent, thin dressings.

  • Benefits: Films hold moisture and are flexible. They make it possible to visually monitor wounds. Because films are semi-permeable, they permit gas exchange without letting outside microorganisms get inside the wound. 

  • Drawbacks: Because films are impermeable to liquids and non-absorbent, they might lead to maceration (the breakdown of the skin due to prolonged exposure to moisture).

  • Clinical applications: Apply films to minor wounds, intravenous access sites, shallow wounds, split-thickness skin transplant donor sites, and secondary dressings.

  • Contraindications: These consist of infected wounds or moderate-to-severe exudative wounds.

  • Changes in dressing frequency might be as little as a few times per week or as frequent as once every seven days.

Foams

  • Bilayer dressing: It has an outside layer that is permeable and hydrophobic and an inside layer made of silicone or polyurethane.

  • Benefits: Foams take up exudate. Their thickness provides additional defence against external injuries.

  • Drawbacks: These consist of drying out a wound and not being able to see wounds.

  • Change your foam dressing either every day or a few times a week.

Hydrocolloids: Hydrophilic polymers that are cross-linked and contain cellulose, gelatin, or pectin. Hydrocolloids can be obtained as sheets, paste, or powder; an additional dressing option is hydrofiber dressings.

  • Benefits: They are initially water-impermeable but gradually absorb water to become more permeable and gel. By lowering the pH of wounds, hydrocolloids stop germs from growing. These can be inserted into wound cavities or positioned over joints.

  • Drawbacks: It is impossible to see injuries.

  • Contraindications: Necrotic or infected wounds should not be treated with them.

  • Clinical applications: Apply them to minor to moderate exudative wounds and pressure wounds.

  • Replacement of dressings: Replace dressings every two to four days.

Every one to two days, the dressings should be changed and kept dry and clean. Conversely, you should change the tape covering your dressing once every seven days. Usually, the doctor will advise not bathing or having a shower for the first 72 hours. Make sure you have everything you'll need ready, wash and sanitise your hands, and use a clean surface before changing the dressing. Remove the dressing first, then the tape, with caution. Unless your doctor instructs you otherwise, you can moisten the dressing with distilled or saline water if it becomes stuck due to blood clots and drainage. Once the wound has been cleaned, you should replace the dressing according to your doctor's instructions and replace the tape. Old dressings should never be reused.

In general, wound dressings are left in place (delayed dressing removal) for at least 48 hours following surgery, regardless of the degree of wound infection or other variables like the use of antibiotics.

  • The first rule of wound care is to keep the wound clean.

  • The second rule of wound care is to ensure to application of a clean and sterile dressing.

  • The third rule for wound care is to replace your dressings frequently.

  • The fourth rule for wound care is to adhere to topical or antibiotic instructions.

  • The fifth rule for wound care is to find guidance on wound care.

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