Procedure 42 — Wound Care: Wound Cleaning

What is the policy purpose for wound cleaning?

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

What is the stated purpose of the wound cleaning procedure?

To 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 solution should never be used on wounds?

Pure hydrogen peroxide.

What must be assured before dressing a wound on a patient refusing transport?

All active bleeding has been controlled.

What materials can be used to dress an injury site?

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

What securing materials may be used over a wound dressing?

Coban, Kerlix, or tape.

What should not be applied directly to the wound bed?

Kerlix, Coban, or other securing material.

Name three things that must be documented before and after dressing a wound.

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

What additional assessment should be documented in the PCR where applicable?

Range of motion.

What provider levels can perform wound cleaning?

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