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Advanced Applications of Home-Based Primary Care - ...
Wound Dressing Tipsheet
Wound Dressing Tipsheet
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Pdf Summary
The document from the Home Centered Care Institute provides guidelines and tips for wound dressings in home-based primary care (HBPC). It emphasizes the importance of assessing wound dressings during examinations, particularly for moisture levels, to ensure appropriate care. If dressings are highly saturated (75% or more), it may indicate the need for more frequent changes.<br /><br />Various types of wound dressings are described, each with specific uses and properties:<br /><br />1. **Gauze**: Inexpensive and permeable. Suitable as a filler and for non-selective debridement but can leave fibers behind. Requires a cover dressing.<br />2. **Foam**: Made from polymer material, great for fragile skin and exudate management. Adhesive borders should fit precisely to avoid skin adherence issues.<br />3. **Alginates**: Absorb excess exudate and are derived from seaweed (now also synthetic). Suitable for wounds with high exudate; needs a cover dressing and can be left for up to two days.<br />4. **Hydrogel**: Hydrates dry wounds and provides a cooling effect. Needs daily changes and can macerate the surrounding skin if not fitted correctly.<br />5. **Hydrocolloids**: Adhesive, moldable, and impermeable with absorptive properties. Suitable for extended wear (up to two weeks) but not advisable for infected wounds, dry eschar, or full-thickness burns.<br />6. **Transparent Dressings**: Clear and hypoallergenic, mainly for visual inspection; they do not absorb exudate and are not suitable for infected wounds or full-thickness burns.<br />7. **Antimicrobials**: Release antimicrobial agents and are effective in reducing bacterial load, can be left on for up to three days, and are available in different forms like silver or medical honey.<br />8. **Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT)**: Utilizes vacuum technology to remove fluid and infection, aiding in faster healing for various types of wounds, including pressure and diabetic ulcers.<br /><br />Lastly, the document mentions the availability of advanced wound care modalities from specialty providers and advises using generic names when ordering supplies to avoid confusion due to the variety of manufacturers and product names.
Keywords
Home-Based Primary Care
Wound Dressings
Moisture Levels
Gauze
Foam
Alginates
Hydrogel
Hydrocolloids
Antimicrobials
Negative Pressure Wound Therapy
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