1. Introduction
Introduce yourself, check patient details
Explain examination
Ask if there could be any glass etc in it
Check for allergies
Position patient appropriately
Begin with observing the wound and think about what equipment is needed
2. Prepare and gather equipment
Gather tray and clean it
Wash hands
Gather equipment
o Saline water/ cleaning solution – check expiry date and place on tray standing up (open with alcohol swab)
o Wound pack
o Sterile gloves
o Apron
o Dressing
o Gauze
3. Return to patient
Open up wound care pack making sure not to touch the sterile field
Put dominant hand and open orange waste bag from pack
Remove the dressing with the waste bag and place between patient and trolley
Dispense the cleaning solution into the gallipot (container for holding liquid)
4. Sterile gloves
Open up the sterile gloves packet and place onto a clean surface
Wash hands (preferably with soap and water) and put on sterile gloves using ANTT approach
Wet the gauze by placing it into the liquid and squeezing it
5. Clean the wound:
Let the patient know that you are about to start cleaning the wound. Let them know that it shouldn’t be too painful but if it is then a painkiller can be used
Pick up wet gauze with “clean hand” – usually the left and transfer to right hand
Wipe down in one direction with one piece of wet gauze and dispose of in the waste bin using the right hand “dirty hand”
Pick up another piece of gauze and repeat until the wound has been cleaned – making sure you go in one direction with one sweep before disposing
Once clean dry the wound with dry gauze
Place dressing over the wound
Remove gloves
Secure the dressing
6. To finish:
Dispose of waste
Thank patient
QUESTIONS:
1. Name 3 different types of wounds
Answer
Abrasion = when skin rubs/scrapes against a rough or hard surface (e.g against a road)
Laceration = deep cut or tearing of the skin (e.g. accidents with knives/tools)
Puncture = small hole cause by a pointy object
Avulsion = partial or complete tearing away of skin and the tissue beneath. Occurs during major accidents (body-crushing, explosion, gunshots)
2. Other than cleaning the wound and dressing it, what else needs to be thought about (and possibly prescribed)?
Antibiotics if there are signs of infection or used prophylactically
Pain relief
3. What can be some complications of a wound if it gets infected?
Cellulitis – bacteria skin infection in which the skin is swollen and red and is typically painful and warm to the touch
Necrotising fasciitis – a severe soft tissue infection with a sudden onset caused by a variety of bacteria including Clostridium and Streptococcus. Failure of treatment can lead to sepsis, loss of limbs and death.
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