Choosing an appropriate dressing is an important part of wound management. But how do you know if you're making the right decision? This depends on the status of the wound, your patients and the environment around the patient. Also, how often you need to change a dressing plays a role here. In this episode, you will learn about -
1: Key tips to consider when choosing a dressing.
2: How do you select the right silicone foam dressing
3: How do you select the right gelling fiber dressing
1: Key tips to consider when choosing a dressing.
What is the size and shape of the wound? Make sure the dressing fits the wound. It will allow you to secure it to clean and dry the skin around the wound without causing any damage to the periwound skin. Consider wou- nd depth. Choose a dressing that conforms to the wound bed and provides a close fit to reduce the risk of exudate pooling. What is the level of exudate? The dressing has to maintain a moist healing environment and absorb and retain exudate. Is there a local infection? In case of local infection always consider a dressing with an active antimicrobial component such as silver. The dressing needs to be comfortable to wear for your patient. It should not cause unnecessary pain upon removal.
Remember! Always follow the locally agreed dressing formularies and local protocols.
2: How do you select the right silicone foam dressing
Silicone dressings can be used on a wide range of low-to-highly exuding wounds. They can minimise trauma and pain when changing a dressing, protect the periwound skin and promote comfort during wear time. When you choose a silicone foam dressing, you can follow this practical checklist to assess the performance of it.
- Conformability to the wound bed
- Absorption and fluid handling capacity
- Pain on removal
- Ease of removal
In the context of a wound dressing, conformability to the wound bed means that is should closely follow the countours of the wound bed and provide a close fit to mimise any gaps between the wound bed and the dressing.
- Does it have the ability to conform to the wound?
- How deep is the wound?
- What does the wound bed structure like?
- Are there any pockets or cavities present in the wound?
Absorbtion and fluid handling capacity
- Is the dressing absorbing and retaining exudate?
- Is it managing the excess exudate?
- Can it manage exudate under compression?
- Does the patient experience pain during dressing removal
- Is it easy to remove?
- What is the condition of the periwound skin upon removal?
3: How do I select the right gelling fiber dressing?
Gelling fiber dressings are used for moderate-to-highly exuding wounds. When you choose a gelling fiber dressing, consider the following properties. Those are based on the key clinical challenges that have been identified by 200 clinicans across the world.
- It should be good at absorbing and retaining large amounts of exudate.
- It should not shrink when absorbing the exudate. That can result in a gap formation, leading to exudate pooling, and increased risk of maceration. The dressing should be easy to remove in one piece from the wound. If it has poor tensile strength, it can lead to the dressing breaking up and leaving residues in the wound.
To wrap up:
- Your dressing choice should depend on the status of the wound, your patients and the environment
- Carefully assess various functions and properties of silicone foam dressings before choosing a dressing
- Gelling fiber dressings should help you absorb and retain large amounts of exudate. They should not be difficult to be removed in one piece from the wound.