Follow the wound clinician's written instructions for the exact dressing, cleansing method, and change schedule. In general, prepare a clean surface, wash your hands, remove the old dressing gently, check the wound, clean it only as directed, and apply the prescribed new dressing without touching the side that contacts the wound.
The clinician's orders take priority over general instructions. Confirm which cleanser and dressing to use, how tightly to secure it, how often to change it, and whether packing, compression, or a wound vac is involved. Do not substitute peroxide, alcohol, iodine, antibiotic ointment, or a different dressing unless the care team approves it.
Gather the ordered supplies, a trash bag, and clean gloves before starting. Clean the work surface, keep pets away, wash hands with soap and water, and open packages without touching the wound-contact surface. Sterile technique is necessary only when the clinician specifically orders it; otherwise, use the clean technique they taught you.
Remove tape in the direction of hair growth and lift the dressing slowly. If it sticks, use the solution approved by the clinician rather than pulling. Note changes in size, color, odor, drainage, pain, and surrounding skin. A photo can help track change if the patient consents and the care team recommends it.
Clean from the least contaminated area outward using the ordered solution, then pat surrounding skin dry. Apply the prescribed dressing and secure it without impairing circulation. Put used material in the trash bag, remove gloves, and wash hands again. Never reuse single-use supplies or place leftover packing in an open container.
A simple dressing that becomes wet, visibly dirty, loose, or soaked may no longer protect the wound or work as intended. Replace it using the ordered method if the care plan says you may; otherwise, cover and protect the area without touching the wound and call the care team for same-day instructions. Report repeated leakage, unexpected bleeding, or a dressing that will not stay sealed.
Do not remove a surgeon-applied graft or flap dressing, pull out packing, open a sealed NPWT dressing, or disconnect a wound-vac system unless the procedure-specific plan directs you and you have been trained. If one of these dressings becomes wet, dirty, loose, displaced, or loses suction, contact the surgeon, wound team, or device supplier promptly rather than treating it like a routine gauze change.
Contact the wound team promptly for increasing redness, warmth, swelling, pain, odor, cloudy or pus-like drainage, unexpected bleeding, a larger or deeper wound, or a dressing repeatedly soaked sooner than expected. Seek emergency care for uncontrolled bleeding, rapidly spreading redness, severe pain, fever with confusion or weakness, breathing difficulty, or a pale, blue, cold, or newly numb limb.
Follow the wound clinician's written instructions for the exact dressing, cleansing method, and change schedule. In general, prepare a clean surface, wash your hands, remove the old dressing gently, check the wound, clean it only as directed, and apply the prescribed new dressing without touching the side that contacts the wound.
Call 877-545-1300 or request a provider to begin care. Healix360 serves Southern California and Nevada and accepts Medicare Part B and most major insurance plans.