What is a wound dressing?
Why is wound care required?
Purpose of wound dressing
For what types of wounds is dressing required?
Acute Wounds
Chronic wounds
Types of wound care dressing
How can skilled nurses aid in wound healing?
Benefits of wound dressing at home
References
WOUND DRESSING
What is a wound dressing?
When there is any injury or damage to the skin because of cuts, scrapes, scratches, abrasions, punctures or burns becomes a wound. The procedure performed to keep the wound clean, covered, and protected is called "wound dressing."
Why is wound care required?
In India, the prevalence of wounds in the population studied was 15.03 per 1000. The prevalences of acute and chronic wounds were 10.55 and 4.48 per 1000 in the population, respectively. The most common site for both acute and chronic wounds was the lower extremity. The slow healing process of an acute wound tends to make it a chronic wound.
According to research, the aging population is diabetic, obese, and hypertensive, and those with vascular disease and immunocompromised are contributing factors to the rising need for wound care and should be treated immediately and vigorously to maximize healing and improve their quality of life.
Purpose of wound dressing
Promote wound healing
Keep the wound clean and warm
Provide a moist environment to optimize re-epithelialization.
Provide a protective physical barrier by covering the wound
Absorb the wound drainage
Hydrate the wound if it is dry or desiccated
Protect the surrounding wound area
Prevents dryness of the wound
Help in debridement
Provide compression
Aid in speedy recovery
For what types of wounds is dressing required?
Acute Wounds
Wounds that are expected to go through the normal and sequential healing process and result in healing and closure of the wound. These wounds tend to heal within a short duration, without complications. E.g. Surgical Wounds and traumatic wounds.
Chronic wounds
Wounds that do not advance through the normal and orderly healing process thereby failing to repair and restore the functional integrity of the skin. These wounds take many weeks or even months to heal and may lead to many secondary complications. E.g. Venous ulcers and arterial ulcers, Diabetic ulcers/neuropathy ulcers, Pressure ulcers/bedsores, etc.
Types of wound care dressing
Alginate dressing: A dry form to absorb wound fluid used for moderate to heavy wound
Tulle: A non-adherent dressing impregnated with paraffin.
Collagen: For burns, severe and thick wounds
Plastic film dressing: To absorb exudates and hold the dressing in place
Foam dressing – For moderate to heavy exudate wound
Hydrogel dressing – used for dry and painful wounds
Hydrocolloid dressing: used for necrotic and granular sounds
How can skilled nurses aid in wound healing?
Wound dressing performed by skilled nurses has shown remarkable improvement in the wound healing process. The nurses:
Performs the procedure by maintaining aseptic techniques
Provides timely care to the patient by cleaning and dressing the wound
Provides information and education about wound care
Perform wound assessment, by checking the condition of the wound by noticing the healing process, surrounding skin, presence of exudates, pain, or any signs of infection.
Documenting the findings and reporting to the Physician,
Benefits of wound dressing at home
Helps in avoiding complexities and keeping it simple. Skilled nurses can provide the same wound carinate in the comfort of your home.
It is time-saving and convenient. They can avoid travel and waiting time at the hospitals. They can avoid further unnecessary pain and further injury
Prevent infection caused because of unnecessary exposure in the hospital
Get a better understanding of the wound care techniques from the nurse who will educate and focus on individual patient
Gain knowledge and information about preventing complications and boosting healing
Avoid unwanted stress and strain as they perform the entire procedure at home where the patient is comfortable and is cared for by the nurse and the family.
Other Topics
References
de Leon J, Bohn G, DiDomenico L, Fearmonti R, Gottlieb H. Wound care centres: critical thinking and treatment strategies for wounds. Wounds. 2016;28:S1–S23.
Gerstein AD, Phillips TJ, Rogers GS, Gilchrest BA. Wound healing and aging. Dermatol Clin. 1993 Oct;11(4):749-57. PMID: 8222358.
Gupta N, Gupta SK, Shukla VK, Singh SP. An Indian community-based epidemiological study of wounds. J Wound Care. 2004 Sep;13(8):323-5. doi: 10.12968/jowc.2004.13.8.26657. PMID: 15469216.
Negut I, Grumezescu V, Grumezescu AM. Treatment Strategies for Infected Wounds. Molecules. 2018 Sep 18;23(9):2392. doi: 10.3390/molecules23092392. PMID: 30231567; PMCID: PMC6225154.
Obagi Z, Damiani G, Grada A, Falanga V. Principles of Wound Dressings: A Review. Surg Technol Int. 2019 Nov 10;35:50-57. PMID: 31480092.
Ward J, Holden J, Grob M, Soldin M. Management of wounds in the community: five principles. Br J Community Nurs. 2019 Jun 1;24(Sup6):S20-S23. doi: 10.12968/bjcn.2019.24.Sup6.S20. PMID: 31166795.
Wicke C, Bachinger A, Coerper S, Beckert S, Witte MB, Königsrainer A. Aging influences wound healing in patients with chronic lower extremity wounds treated in a specialized wound care centre. Wound Repair Regen. 2009;17:25–33.