Wound Closings and Cultures

common mechanical closures for primary intention

1. sutures (stitches)

2. staples

3. steri-strips

4. tissue glue (dermabond)

what are sutures?

stitches / needles and thread

what are staples?

tiny metal strong staples to hold wound together

what are steri-strips?

strong adhesives to keep the wound shut

what is tissue glue (dermabond)?

liquid super glue, hardens as it dries

why do we obtain wound cultures?

• when infection is suspected

• to identify the pathogen

• pick the best antibiotics

what must you do in a wound culture first (after HIPE)?

cleanse the wound with a preservative-free saline solution

• dry with sterile gauze

what must wounds be cleaned with before collection cultures?

preservative free saline solution

what is used to collect a wound culture

a sterile swab

where do we collect wound culture from?

viable wound bed free from necrosis

• nice red wound

how to collect the wound culture

press the sterile swab on a viable wound bed and apply slight pressure, rotating for at least 5 seconds

what gloves are used while collecting wound cultures?

clean gloves

what do you do after putting the sterile swab back in the container?

hand hygiene, label the culture, document