Dressing wounds is necessary in order for them to heal properly.
There is almost no adult in the world who has not treated a wound on his body at least once in his life. These are physical damages in the form of scratches, lacerations, and cuts, which occur under various external influences. Some are the result of various injuries, others are the result of surgery. Childbirth, i.e. episiotomy or cesarean section, is the cause of certain wounds, while chronic wounds are caused by prolonged lying down, i.e. as a result of decubitus.
Wounds can be of different types – surgical and non-surgical, acute and chronic, deep and shallow. Depending on the type, as well as the place where they are located, an adapted treatment of care and treatment is carried out, in which adequate dressing of the wounds plays a key role.
Dressing wounds at home is done according to the doctor’s order
Just as giving infusions and giving injections at home is done only on the order of a doctor, dressing wounds is done only on the basis of the therapy prescribed by the doctor.
Although it seems very simple to many, dressing wounds, in fact, requires a complex approach by doctors, nurses, and laboratory technicians.
Depending on the type of wound, the place where it is located, and the type of dressings that are applied, the doctor determines the frequency of bandaging. This is usually done every day or every few days.
The nurse’s task is not only to dress the wound properly but also to monitor the recovery and react in a timely manner if the condition of the wound worsens, i.e. in case of a change in the appearance of the wound, the appearance of pus, or bleeding. In this way, infections and other serious complications that can endanger the entire organism are avoided.
No wound should be ignored, no matter how small and superficial it is
The goal of treating any wound is complete healing of the injured skin, without scars or with as little trace of a scar as possible.
The wound dressing process includes disinfection and the use of sterile gauze and bandages. However, in the case of chronic wounds, such as decubitus, the use of additional auxiliary material is necessary. Given that these wounds heal very slowly because lying down puts increased pressure on the parts of the body where they were created, therapy must speed up that process. For this purpose, special dressings are used, which are used for more efficient healing, as well as treating the wound with appropriate creams, according to the doctor’s prescription.
Why is it best to dress wounds at home?
The possibility of receiving wound treatment in your own home is highlighted by many patients as one of the most important advantages of personal home care.
Keep in mind that many of them were caused by surgery, where the postoperative course requires the patient to rest, so going to the clinic and waiting in long lines can further damage poor health. Dressing wounds at home is the only possible therapy for immobile patients, as well as patients who need palliative care.
The home care nurse has the experience to recognize if the wound is not healing as it should, and informs the doctor about it in time, who will instruct the laboratory technician to take a swab that will reveal the cause of the problem. Also, the nurse knows how the sutures should be placed and when it is time to remove them.
An additional advantage of dressing wounds at home is reflected in the fact that professional home care staff know how to properly move the patient if he is immobile and the wound is difficult to access. At the same time, they will give advice to the family about care, but also provide psychological support, which is often needed in these situations.
The center for the care of the elderly and the sick, MinuteNurse Home health & care has in its team top medical personnel who are trained to provide all types of therapy. The care of elderly people, as well as younger patients, takes place with us 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
