What are the principles of wound care?

From the Guidelines

Proper wound care involves sharp debridement, cleaning the wound with saline solution, and dressing with a sterile, inert dressing to maintain a warm, moist environment and promote healing. The principles of wound care are based on the most recent and highest quality evidence, which emphasizes the importance of sharp debridement and basic wound dressings to absorb exudate and maintain a moist wound healing environment 1.

Key Principles of Wound Care

• Sharp debridement to remove necrotic tissue and debris
• Cleaning the wound with saline solution to remove bacteria and debris
• Dressing with a sterile, inert dressing to maintain a warm, moist environment
• Avoiding the use of antimicrobial dressings, autolytic debridement, and other interventions that have not been shown to improve wound healing outcomes 1
• Considering the use of advanced wound therapy, such as hyperbaric oxygen, in cases where standard wound care has failed to promote healing 1

Best Practices for Wound Care

• Offloading of plantar ulcerations to reduce pressure and promote healing
• Revascularization of ischemic wounds when necessary to improve blood flow and oxygenation
• Management of infection with soft tissue or bone to prevent complications and promote healing
• Use of physiologic, topical dressings to maintain a moist wound environment and promote healing 1

Important Considerations

• Wounds that fail to show a reduction of 50% or more after 4 weeks of appropriate wound management may require advanced wound therapy 1
• Treatment of chronic wounds is best managed in an interprofessional setting to ensure comprehensive care and promote healing 1

From the FDA Drug Label

Uses first aid to help prevent infection and for the temporary relief of pain or discomfort in minor: cuts scrapes burns Directions adults and children 2 years of age and older: clean the affected area apply a small amount of this product (an amount equal to the surface area of the tip of a finger) on the area 1 to 3 times daily may be covered with a sterile bandage The principles of wound care include:

• Cleaning the affected area
• Applying a topical product to help prevent infection
• Providing temporary relief of pain or discomfort
• Optionally covering the wound with a sterile bandage 2 2

From the Research

Principles of Wound Care

The principles of wound care involve several key aspects, including:

• Preventing infection and promoting a clean environment for wound healing 3
• Using appropriate dressings and wound care products to optimize wound healing and prevent complications 3, 4
• Cleansing the wound properly to remove debris and bacteria, and promote healing 5, 6, 7
• Assessing the wound regularly to determine the best course of treatment and to monitor progress 6

Wound Cleansing

Wound cleansing is an important aspect of wound care, and involves:

• Using appropriate solutions, such as normal saline or tap water, to cleanse the wound 5
• Avoiding the use of harsh or abrasive cleansers that can damage tissue or delay healing 5
• Using gentle techniques, such as irrigation or swabbing, to remove debris and bacteria from the wound 5, 6
• Considering the use of antimicrobial wound dressings or cleansers to reduce the risk of infection 4, 7

Wound Dressings

Wound dressings play a critical role in wound care, and should be:

• Impermeable to bacteria to prevent infection 3
• Easy to remove and change to minimize trauma to the wound 4
• Able to optimize reepithelialization rates and reduce the incidence of wound sepsis 3
• Selected based on the individual needs of the patient and the wound 6