Wound Dressing at Home 

A wound, whether a minor cut or a major injury, needs attention. If it is not a minor injury, the wound requires care and dressing. Dressings make it easier to maintain the moisture balance needed for optimal wound healing. CARE AT HOME ensures that you receive healthcare services in the comfort of your home. The focus is on clinical excellence coupled with superior patient experience at an affordable cost.

Purpose Of Wound Dressing

• To reduce pain 
• To apply compression for haemorrhage or venous stasis 
• To immobilise an injured body part
• To protect the wound and surrounding tissue
• To promote moist wound healing

Wound Type & Dressing Options

1. Dry necrotic wound – moisture retention, e.g., hydrocolloid, semi-permeable
2. Slough covered wounds – moisture retention and fluid absorption, e.g., hydrocolloid, alginate
3. Infected wound – avoid semi occlusive dressings. Consider alginate or hydrocolloid, if high exudate.
4. Graze, abrasions – clean: film, tulle, fixation sheet or dry
5. Graze, abrasions – soiled: dry or tulle
6. Puncture wounds or bites – open or dry
7. Laceration: sutured lacerations – open or dry, consider paper tape support after suture removal.
8. Burn: minor burns – film, medicated tulle, fixation sheet
9. Burn: major or requiring admission, e.g., special areas burns – plastic wrap prior to surgical review, medicated tulle
10. Chronic wounds, e.g., ulcers, PEG sites etc. – hydrocolloid, alginate, foam

Types Of Wound Dressing

Hydrocolloid dressing: Hydrocolloid dressings are used on burns, light to moderately draining wounds, necrotic wounds, under compression wraps, pressure ulcers and venous ulcers.

Hydrogel dressing: This type of dressing is for wounds with little to no excess fluid, painful wounds, necrotic wounds, pressure ulcers, donor sites, second degree or higher burns and infected wounds.

Alginate dressing: Alginate dressings are used for moderate to high amounts of wound drainage, venous ulcers, packing wounds and pressure ulcers in stage III or IV.

Collagen dressing: A collagen dressing can be used for chronic or stalled wounds, ulcers, bed sores, transplant sites, surgical wounds, second degree or higher burns and wounds with large surface areas.

Foam dressing: For wounds of varying degrees of severity, foam dressings work very well, as well as for injuries that exhibit odours.

Transparent dressing: Transparent dressings are useful when medical professionals or carers want to monitor wound healing, as these dressings cover the wound with a clear film.

Cloth/gauze dressing: Cloth dressings are the most commonly used dressings, often used to protect open wounds or areas of broken skin. They are suitable for minor injuries such as grazes, cuts or areas of delicate skin.

Benefits Of Wound Dressing Care at Home

• No long waiting hours at the hospital or clinic for simple procedures
• No hustle bustle of the hospital environment
• Is tailored to individual needs – customized care plans
• Works in partnership with existing structures and services
• Reduces the risk of hospital acquired infections
• Offers choice and control over one’s care
• Without compromising outcomes, a cost-effective, clinically-driven service is provided in the comfort of ones’ home.
• Family participation – a significant advantage of home care is the opportunity for family and friends to be a larger part of care.
• Family education – care-givers can provide health education at home easily because patients are not under stress and have enough time.
• Quick healing – awareness of the family as also a comfortable and safe home environment helps in faster healing.
• Following all the specific precautions prevents complications.