The Importance Of Wounds In Health Care
Introduction
Sometimes, your health care provider will decide to delay closing a wound for several days. This is done when the wound is badly bruised or dirty, or when it has been several hours since the injury happened. By delaying the closure of your wound, the risk of infection is reduced. Wounds that are closed in 3–7 days after being cleaned up and dressed heal just as well as those that are closed right away.
Supplies needed:
Water.
Hand sanitizer.
Soap.
Bandage (dressing).
Clean towel.
Antibiotic ointment.
Irrigation solution.
How to care for your wound
Follow instructions from your health care provider about how to take care of your wound.
Keep the wound clean and dry.
Clean the wound one time each day, or as directed by your health …show more content…
Rinse the wound with water to remove all soap.
Pat the wound dry with a clean towel. Do not rub the wound.
Apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment as directed by your health care provider. This will help to prevent infection and keep the dressing from sticking to the wound.
If you were given a dressing, you should change it at least once per day, or as directed by your health care provider. You should also change it if it becomes wet or dirty.
To change your dressing:
Wash your hands with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
Wash the wound with soap and water.
Rinse the wound with water to remove all soap.
Pat the wound dry with a clean towel. Do not rub the wound.
Apply new dressing as told by your health care provider.
Follow these instructions at home:
Take or apply over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
If you were prescribed an antibiotic medicine, take or apply it as told by your health care provider. Do not stop taking or applying the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.
Check your wound every day for signs of infection. Check for:
More redness, swelling, or pain.
More fluid or blood.
Sometimes, your health care provider will decide to delay closing a wound for several days. This is done when the wound is badly bruised or dirty, or when it has been several hours since the injury happened. By delaying the closure of your wound, the risk of infection is reduced. Wounds that are closed in 3–7 days after being cleaned up and dressed heal just as well as those that are closed right away.
Supplies needed:
Water.
Hand sanitizer.
Soap.
Bandage (dressing).
Clean towel.
Antibiotic ointment.
Irrigation solution.
How to care for your wound
Follow instructions from your health care provider about how to take care of your wound.
Keep the wound clean and dry.
Clean the wound one time each day, or as directed by your health …show more content…
Rinse the wound with water to remove all soap.
Pat the wound dry with a clean towel. Do not rub the wound.
Apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment as directed by your health care provider. This will help to prevent infection and keep the dressing from sticking to the wound.
If you were given a dressing, you should change it at least once per day, or as directed by your health care provider. You should also change it if it becomes wet or dirty.
To change your dressing:
Wash your hands with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
Wash the wound with soap and water.
Rinse the wound with water to remove all soap.
Pat the wound dry with a clean towel. Do not rub the wound.
Apply new dressing as told by your health care provider.
Follow these instructions at home:
Take or apply over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
If you were prescribed an antibiotic medicine, take or apply it as told by your health care provider. Do not stop taking or applying the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.
Check your wound every day for signs of infection. Check for:
More redness, swelling, or pain.
More fluid or blood.