Procedure 42 - Wound Care: Wound Cleaning

What is the policy purpose of the Wound Cleaning procedure?

To provide EMS personnel with a means of addressing open and/or closed wounds.

What is the purpose of the Wound Cleaning procedure?

Identify, clean, and dress open wounds for transport or refusal patients.

What solutions should be used to clean open wounds?

Sterile water or normal saline.

What should never be used on wounds?

Pure hydrogen peroxide.

What must be assured before dressing a wound if the patient is refusing transport?

That all active bleeding has been controlled.

What materials are used to dress the injury site?

Clean and dry gauze, dressing, and/or Band-aid.

What materials may be used to secure the gauze or dressing?

Coban, Kerlix, or tape.

What should not be applied directly to the wound bed?

Kerlix, Coban, or other securing material.

What should be documented before and after dressing a wound?

The control of bleeding, pulse/motor/sensory assessment, and patient response.

What else should be documented in the PCR where applicable?

Range of motion.

What provider levels can perform wound cleaning per CFD protocol?

EMT-B, EMT-A, and EMT-P.