Cleaning a Wound and Applying Dressing

What is the first step in cleaning a wound and applying a dressing?

Review the patient’s health record for prescribed wound care and gather necessary supplies.

What should you do before beginning the procedure?

Perform hand hygiene and put on PPE if indicated.

How do you ensure you are treating the correct patient?

Identify the patient.

Where should you assemble your equipment?

On the overbed table or another surface within reach.

How do you prepare the environment and the patient?

Close curtains/door if possible and explain the procedure to the patient.

What should you assess before starting wound care?

Assess the need for pain-reducing interventions or analgesic medication and allow time for it to work.

Where should you place the waste receptacle?

In a convenient location for use during the procedure.

How should you prepare the bed?

Adjust the bed to a comfortable working height.

How should you position the patient for wound cleaning?

Position for easy access, cover with a bath blanket, and place a waterproof pad under the wound.

What should you check before removing the old dressing?

Check drains/tubes, put on gloves, and loosen tape using the push–pull method to prevent MARSI.

How do you remove a stuck dressing?

Use small amounts of sterile saline to help loosen it.

What should you note after removing the dressing?

Note presence, amount, type, color, and odor of drainage; then remove gloves and perform hand hygiene.

What should you inspect at the wound site?

Size, appearance, drainage, pain, sutures, staples, strips, drains, or tubes.

How do you prepare supplies for wound cleaning?

Use sterile technique to prepare a sterile work area and open needed supplies.

How do you prepare cleaning solution?

Open sterile solution and moisten gauze; pour over gauze or into a basin depending on the amount needed.

When do you put on sterile gloves?

Before cleaning the wound (clean gloves may be used for chronic wounds/pressure injuries).

How do you clean the wound?

Pour or spray solution from top to bottom; irrigation may also be used.

How do you clean the surrounding skin?

Clean from top to bottom or center outward using new gauze for each wipe.

How do you dry the surrounding skin?

Use a gauze sponge, drying in the same manner as cleaning.

What do you do if there is a drain?

Clean around the drain.

What should you do after cleaning and before dressing the wound?

Remove gloves, perform hand hygiene, then put on sterile (or clean) gloves and apply skin protectant to surrounding healthy skin.

How do you apply wound products?

Apply topical medications, foams, gels, or dressings as prescribed, keeping them inside the wound edges.

How do you apply the cover dressing?

Place it gently at the wound center, extending at least 1 inch beyond the wound in all directions.

When is a secondary dressing applied?

As needed based on products used, prescriptions, and facility policy.

How do you secure the dressing?

Use roller gauze or rely on self-adhesive products; then remove gloves and perform hand hygiene.

What should you do after applying the dressing?

Label with date/time; position the patient comfortably with safety measures.

What is the final step of the procedure?

Remove PPE if used, perform hand hygiene.

How often should wound dressings be checked?

At least every shift, more often if the wound is complex