Dressing of a Clean Wound

Purpose
• To keep wound clean
• To prevent the wound from injury and contamination
• To keep in position drugs applied locally
• To keep edges of the wound together by immobilization
• To apply pressure

Equipment
• Pick up forceps in a container
• Sterile bowl or kidney dish
• Sterile cotton balls
• Sterile galipot
• Sterile gauze
• Three sterile forceps
• Rubber sheet with its cover
• Antiseptic solution as ordered
• Adhesive tape or bandages
• Scissors
• Ointment or other types of drugs as needed
• Receiver
• Spatula if needed
• Benzene or ether.

Technique
Aseptic technique to prevent infection

Procedure
♦ Explain procedure to the patient
• Clean trolley or tray; assemble sterile equipment on one side and clean items on the other side. Make sure it is covered.
• Drape and put patient in comfortable position.
• Place rubber sheet and its cover under the affected side.
• Remove the outer layer of the dressing e.g. adhesive tape bandage.
• Remove the inner layer of the dressing using the first sterile forceps and discard both the soiled dressing and the forceps.
• Take the second sterile forceps. Clean wound with cotton balls soaked in antiseptic solution, starting from inside to the outside.
• Again use the second forceps to clean the skin around and remove adhesive with benzene or ether.
• Apply medication if any and dress the wound with sterile gauze.

Method of Application
• Ointment and paste must be smeared with spatula on gauze
and then applied on the wound.
• Solutions or powder can be applied direct on the wound.
• Make sure that the wound is properly covered.
• Fix dressing in place using adhesive tape or bandage.
• Leave patient comfortable and tidy
• Record state of wound
• Clean and return equipment to proper place

N.B.
The above-mentioned equipment can be prepared in a separate pack if central sterilization department is available.