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Wound Care and Healing. Health Science Technology. Goals of Wound Care. Remove necrotic tissue to promote wound healing Prevent, eliminate, or control infection Absorb drainage (exudate) Maintain a moist wound environment Protect the wound from further injury
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Wound Care and Healing Health Science Technology
Goals of Wound Care • Remove necrotic tissue to promote wound healing • Prevent, eliminate, or control infection • Absorb drainage (exudate) • Maintain a moist wound environment • Protect the wound from further injury • Protect the surrounding skin from infection and trauma
Stages of Wound Healing 1.Primary Stage= inflammation 2.Secondary Stage= proliferation (granulation) 3. Tertiary Stage= maturation (wound remodeling)
Primary Stage of Wound Healing • Inflammatory Phase caused by histamine and prostaglandin • Lasts 4 - 6 days • Edema leads to a reddened, swollen, and tender wound • Healing process is controlled by the release of neutrophils and macrophages
Secondary Stage of Wound Healing • Proliferative or Granulation phase • Begins 1-4 days after the injury and ends 14-21 days later • Rapid growth of epithelial cells to produce a protective covering for the wound • Healthy granulation tissue has a healthy reddish-pink color
Tertiary Stage of Wound Healing • Maturation, or wound remodeling- • Begins 14-21 days after the injury and can last up to 2 yrs. • Scar shrinks and thins and becomes less red
Wound Healing • In order to accomplish the goals of wound care, a moist wound environment must be maintained • Wound cannot be too dry or too moist • All wounds require a dressing that is dry on the air-exposed side to prevent bacterial invasion • Dressing should be secured over the wound and taped in place using the “window paning” method of taping
Wound Treatments • If epidermal (surface) injury: -clean the wound, apply antibacterial ointment and cover • If bleeding: -Apply pressure with a gloved hand. -Elevate affected area above the level of the heart to slow blood flow-bleeding should stop after 10-15 minutes. Cover.
Wound Treatment • Antibiotics if animal/human bite, or if not cleaned properly • Sutures if wound is deep or large • Tegaderm or Hydrogel for elderly in lieu of sutures due to fragile skin.
Types of Dressings • Wound Vac- -used for wounds with excess exudate, excess edema, bacterial burden, absence of moisture • Dry sterile dressing-used for wounds with little to no drainage. • Wet to dry dressing-used for wounds in granulating phase of healing
Alternative Wound Care Methods • Maggot Therapy-
Maggot Therapy • Maggots can effectively: -Debride (clean) the wound -Promote wound healing -Kill bacteria • Maggot Debridement Therapy (MDT) is indicated for non-healing wounds such as: -Venous ulcers, diabetic ulcers, etc.
Leech Therapy -Leeches secrete an anticoagulant that increases blood flow -They are painless to attach because they secrete an anesthetic -Used primarily in Eastern medicine, but also in Western medicine. -Can be used for more than just wounds, ex: psoriasis