Advanced Applications of Home-Based Primary Care Workshop-Wound Dressing Tip Sheet

Wound Dressing Tip Sheet

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The document is a guide on wound dressing tips for Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC) providers from the Home Centered Care Institute. It emphasizes the importance of assessing wound dressings for moisture levels, especially for highly exudative wounds, and suggests increasing dressing frequency if moisture is overwhelming despite using absorptive dressings. It categorizes various types of wound dressings:<br /><br />1. **Gauze**: Made of cotton, rayon, or polyester; inexpensive, permeable, and can be used for non-selective debridement though it may require a cover dressing.<br />2. **Foam**: A polymer material that wicks away moisture, good for fragile skin, and exudate management. Adhesive foam should fit the wound bed.<br />3. **Alginates**: Originally seaweed-based, now possibly synthetic; absorbs excessive exudate and can remain on a wound for up to two days requiring a cover dressing.<br />4. **Hydrogel**: Hydrates dry wounds; available in sheets or gel and needs daily changing. Caution against macerating periwound skin.<br />5. **Hydrocolloids**: Adhesive wafers with absorptive properties, suitable for extended wear but not good for infected wounds or burns, prone to stripping skin.<br />6. **Transparent**: Clear, adherent, non-absorptive, and hypoallergenic; suitable for covering intact skin and visual inspection, but not for infected wounds or burns.<br />7. **Antimicrobials**: Sustained release of antimicrobial agents, reduces bacterial load, can stay on a wound for up to three days. Types include silver, iodine, and medical honey.<br />8. **Negative Pressure Wound Therapy**: Draws out fluid and infection; suitable for severe wounds like burns, ulcers, chronic wounds, or injuries, using a vacuum pump and sealed dressing.<br />9. **Other**: Advanced modalities such as biological agents for difficult-to-heal wounds.<br /><br />The document notes that wound products from different manufacturers may have varying names, advising the use of generic names when ordering supplies to avoid confusion.

Keywords

wound dressing

HBPC providers

moisture levels

exudative wounds

gauze

foam

alginates

hydrogel

hydrocolloids

antimicrobials