Demystifying Value-Based Care: Managing Costs of Care-Wound Dressing Tipsheet

Wound Dressing Tipsheet

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The 2020 guide from the Home Centered Care Institute provides important tips on wound dressing for Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC) providers. The purpose of the document is to ensure proper wound dressing assessment, particularly for moisture management. If a dressing is saturated beyond 75%, frequency might need to be increased. <br /><br />Key types of wound dressings discussed include:<br /><br />1. <strong>Gauze</strong>: Inexpensive, made from cotton, rayon, or polyester, and can be used for non-selective debridement. Requires a cover dressing and may leave fibers behind.<br /><br />2. <strong>Foam</strong>: Absorbs moisture away from the wound, suitable for fragile skin and exudate management. Needs to fit the wound bed if it has an adhesive border.<br /><br />3. <strong>Alginates</strong>: Absorbs exudate, can stay in the wound for up to two days, requires a cover dressing.<br /><br />4. <strong>Hydrogel</strong>: Hydrates dry wounds, provides a cooling effect, sold in sheets or gel, needs daily changing, might macerate periwound skin.<br /><br />5. <strong>Hydrocolloids</strong>: Moldable and adhesive, suitable for extended wear (up to two weeks), not ideal for infected wounds, dry eschar, or full-thickness burns.<br /><br />6. <strong>Transparent Dressings</strong>: Clear and non-absorptive, used for visual inspections, not suitable for infected or full-thickness burns.<br /><br />7. <strong>Antimicrobials</strong>: Reduce bacterial load and can be left on a wound for up to three days, available in silver, iodine, and medical honey options.<br /><br />8. <strong>Negative Pressure Wound Therapy</strong>: Uses a vacuum pump to draw out fluid and infection, ideal for burns, ulcers, chronic wounds, and injuries.<br /><br />9. <strong>Other Advanced Modalities</strong>: Include biologic agents for hard-to-heal wounds, available from specialty providers.<br /><br />The document advises using generic names when ordering supplies to avoid confusion due to brand variations.

Keywords

Home-Based Primary Care

wound dressing

moisture management

gauze

foam

alginates

hydrogel

hydrocolloids

transparent dressings

negative pressure wound therapy