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Wound Care

Wound Care Videos

See below for written instructions

How-To Information

Removing Your Wound Dressing

  1. Clean your hands (wash or use 60% alcohol-based hand gel).
  2. Use a gloved hand or a plastic bag to remove the dressing.
  3. Inspect the dressing for drainage or any foul odor.
  4. Coil the dressing inside the glove or bag and discard.
  5. Use 60% alcohol-based hand gel to disinfect your hands.

Cleaning Your Wound

  1. Clean and prepare an area and set out your supplies.
  2. Clean your hands (wash or use 60% alcohol-based hand gel).
  3. Soak clean gauze or cloth in tap water or sterile cleaning solution.
  4. Dab around the incision line, away from the center of the wound.
  5. Use a cotton swab to remove any blood or crust that has formed.
  6. Rinse the wound and carefully pat it dry with gauze or clean towel.
  7. Remove the dressing daily to inspect and clean around the wound.

Packing Your Wound

  1. Clean and prepare an area and set out your supplies.
  2. Clean hands (wash or use 60% alcohol-based hand gel).
  3. Disinfect tweezers and scissors with alcohol.
  4. Cut pieces of tape longer than the wound and hang them on the side of a table edge.
  5. Remove old tape and dressing with a gloved hand or plastic bag.
  6. Check the old dressing for drainage or odor.
  7. Coil the dressing inside the glove or bag and discard.
  8. Clean your hands (wash or use 60% alcohol-based hand gel).
  9. Put on clean gloves.
  10. Use tweezers to lift the packing material out and cut off a length.
  11. Use a cotton swab to gently push the packing into the wound and tunneled areas.
  12. Apply a dressing or bandage that extends at least 1 inch over the edges of the wound to cover. 13. Remove the gloves and clean your hands again.

Caring for Your Surgical Drain

  1. Clean your hands (wash or use 60% alcohol-based hand gel).
  2. Using one hand, firmly hold the drain tubing near where it comes out of the skin.
  3. Pinch the tubing with your other hand using your thumb and first (index) finger.
  4. Using an alcohol pad, squeeze the tubing flat to push clots through to the drain.
  5. Use a gloved hand to open the cap on the end of the drain.
  6. Hold the opening away from you, and empty the drain contents into a measuring container.
  7. Record the amount and color of the drainage.
  8. Hold the drain away from you, squeeze the drain until it is flat, and close the cap.
  9. Pour the drainage down the sink or flush larger amounts down a toilet.
  10. Remove gloves and clean your hands again.

Changing the Dressing Around the Drain

  1. Use a gloved hand or a plastic bag to remove the dressing.
  2. Inspect the dressing for any drainage or any foul odor.
  3. Coil the dressing inside the glove or bag and discard.
  4. Clean your hands (wash or use 60% alcohol-based hand gel).
  5. Clean the wound and skin around the drain tubing.
  6. Open the package and remove the gauze dressing.
  7. Touching only the edges of the gauze, place the opening around the tubing of the drain.
  8. Layer bandages around the tubing and wound site to protect the drain from falling out.
  9. Tape the dressings or wrap a bandage around to keep them in place.