Wound Cleaning - Essential Wound Care

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Why is cleaning a wound important?

Cleaning a wound helps prevent infection, reduces the risk of scarring, and promotes healing. However, it’s important to take the right steps to ensure that the wound is properly cleaned and disinfected. The first step in cleaning a wound is to stop the bleeding. Once the bleeding has stopped, you can begin to clean the wound.

How do you clean a wound?

Simple debridement that can be undertaken by all healthcare professionals involves gentle circular movements over the wound with dry gauze, which may lift some debris. Using forceps to gently scrape the tissue may also help lift debris off the wound.

What is wound treatment?

(Supplied: Suzanne Kapp) Scratches, grazes, bumps, bruises, burns, cuts, bites … our skin cops a battering on an almost daily basis, yet most of the time we hardly think anything of it. For many of us, wound treatment simply involves washing off the dirt or blood, sticking on a plaster, going about our business and leaving our skin to do the rest.

What should I know about wound care?

Knowledge of appropriate wound care is incredibly important, whether for yourself or a loved one. Skin wounds can be caused by a number of incidents, such as a knock against a hard surface. If you are unsure about a specific dressing for a minor wound, contact or visit your local pharmacist.

What is the best way to clean a wound?

Irrigation is the preferred method of cleaning wounds and sodium chloride 0.9% is the preferred cleansing solution. 1,2 Assess pain levels and consider the need for appropriate pain management throughout procedures. Reassess the wound and the dressing type at each dressing change. Pain management/anaesthesia.

What is a wound care fact sheet?

Emergency Care Institute – Patient Fact Sheet This fact sheet is for people who have presented to the emergency department requiring wound care. This fact sheet provides general information. If you have specific concerns, speak to your healthcare professional for further information and advice.

What Is Wound Cleaning

1. https://www.ausmed.com.au/learn/guides/wound-care
2. https://www.webmd.com/first-aid/relieving-wound-pain
3. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/injuries-poisoning/how-to-care-for-wounds-and-lacerations/how-to-cleanse,-irrigate,-debride,-and-dress-wounds
4. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/wounds-cuts-and-grazes
5. https://www.agedcareguide.com.au/information/wound-care-and-what-you-need-to-know
6. https://www.austrahealth.com.au/how-to-clean-a-wound-2.html
7. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/handling-injuries-from-small-cuts-to-serious-wounds
8. https://aci.health.nsw.gov.au/networks/eci/clinical/ed-factsheets/wound-care
9. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/wounds-how-to-care-for-them
10. https://www.abc.net.au/news/health/2017-10-26/what-you-need-to-know-about-wound-care/9088426

Wound Cleaning Information

1. https://clinicalexcellence.qld.gov.au/sites/default/files/2018-02/wound-care.pdf
2. https://ahra.org.au/our-work/wound-care/
3. https://www.safercare.vic.gov.au/best-practice-improvement/clinical-guidance/emergency/care-of-open-wounds
4. https://pch.health.wa.gov.au/For-health-professionals/Emergency-Department-Guidelines/Wound-care