Cleaning Wounds

General Guidelines for Cleaning a Wound

1. Wash Hands: Always start by washing your hands thoroughly.

2. Gentle Pressure: Use gentle pressure to avoid damaging the granulation tissue.

3. Use of Solution: Typically, normal saline is used unless a different solution is prescribed.

4. Surgical Asepsis: For open wounds, maintain surgical asepsis and use sterile techniques.

5. Cleaning Technique: Clean the wound starting from the center and moving outward.

6. Skin Care: Clean the skin surrounding the wound.

7. Apply Dressing: After cleaning, apply a new dressing to the wound.

8. Hand Hygiene: Wash hands again after the procedure.

9. Documentation: Document the procedure and any observations thoroughly.

Note: Specific cleaning steps will be covered during lab sessions.