Procedure 43 — Wound Care: Wound Packing

What is the clinical indication for wound packing?

Packing bleeding wounds that are not compressible or treatable by tourniquet.

Name four body locations where wound packing is contraindicated.

The chest, back, head, and abdomen.

What should be used instead of wound packing for arterial hemorrhage in an extremity?

A tourniquet.

What type of bleeding is a contraindication for wound packing?

Dialysis graft bleeding.

What should be removed from a wound before packing, if present?

Loose material.

What is done with the gauze before packing begins?

Open it and hold it in the non-dominant hand.

What hand and finger are used to pack gauze into the wound?

The dominant hand, using the index finger.

How deep should the gauze be directed while packing a wound?

As deep as possible.

What technique is used to direct gauze while packing a wound?

Continue the packing direction as if packing a clock, firmly packing gauze into every hour of the clock.

What is done when no additional gauze can be placed in the wound?

Pack the remaining gauze on top of the wound.

How long should direct pressure be held after a wound is fully packed?

At least 3 minutes.

What is applied over the gauze after the full pressure time for a packed wound?

An Ace wrap.

What provider levels can perform wound packing?

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