Wound Care Nurse’s Guide to Wound Care
In case you don’t know, wound care nurses are certified and specialized entities that especially take care of wounds. They further work closely with doctors or care teams to create efficacious care plans for current and future needs.
These nurses also create in-home or nursing care plans for the medical teams/caregivers to follow. They work closely with the care team as well to determine the best course of treatment for complex wounds. They also ensure the nursing care plan they developed is being followed carefully.
They are the best potential entities specialized in wound care, thereby no one knows better than them about this aspect. Following is the efficacious guide on how to treat wounds with the help of an RN in the absence of a wound care nurse; in case of emergencies.
Types of Wounds they Care for:
The wound care nurses are specialized ones that assess and treat complex wounds that typically include:
Burns
Animal bites
Skin tears
Ulcer
Ostomies
Pressure injuries
Lacerations
Steps to follow for Wound Care:
Wound Assessment and Observation:
Locate the wound to know its relevant information and cause.
Determine which and how many tissues are damaged. This is necessary to know if the wound is of partial thickness or full thickness. This will help to know the healing time and the type of care required.
Determine the size of the wound by assessing its width and length. Also, measure the deepness by measuring it from the deepest part to the skin’s surface.
Assess if there is any sinus tract. Also, keep an eye on and pain level wound edge. This will help you to determine the cause and time since it has occurred.
Look for infection. There are signs that show the presence of infection such as redness, wound odor, or swelling.
Follow the “8 Objectives”:
The first step is to combat the infection. Consider running wound culture which is a test to find germs.
The next step is to remove damaged tissues from the wounds, especially look for necrotic tissues.
Make sure that there is moisture present in the wound and in the environment too. This is to promote wound healing and lower infection possibilities.
There are usually dead spaces around the wound, specifically when they are sometimes old and deep. Clear the dead spaces. Normal packing agents like hydrogel-impregnated gauze and saline can be used.
Ascertain the wound cleaning protocol by consulting with a physician. Also, ensure the frequency of dressing change to manage odor.
In order to limit the pain, first thing is to assess the wound carefully. Secondly, the potential infection should be assessed and treated immediately.
Lastly, ensure to safeguard peri-wound skin and use adequately moist dressing.
Care Plan:
There are varied factors that need to be observed and taken care of to promote wound healing.
It should be ensured that pressure at the wounded area is minimal. This is necessary to ensure the treatment will work as required.
If the patient has skin tears then it is also important to protect skin from tearing further.
Ensure to use compression in the treatment, and in-home or nursing care plan.
It is also important to crease the risk of more injuries for neuropathic ulcers.
Nutrition holds great importance. It should be ensured that the patient is getting the required nutrients and is staying hydrated all the time.
The health condition, history, and relevant factors should b kept in check. Alterations should be made if necessary. Several health conditions can create difficulties in wound healing, like diabetes.
Lastly, ensure that the documentation is complete and thorough.