Health Information

Maklumat Kesihatan

Interactive Patient Guide

Panduan Pesakit Interaktif

Skills for Life - Homecare
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Types of wounds


1. Incision wound
This is a wound after an operation. It is a clean wound and should be left covered and untouched until stitches are due to be taken out. However, if there is any fluid from the wound or pain and redness around it, this is a sign of infection.

2. Abrasion
An abrasion occurs when the skin surface is scraped or rubbed off. It should be cleansed with normal saline and covered with non-adhesive gauze. Avoid pressure at this area until healing takes place.

3. Others
This includes healing bedsores and wounds at the site of drains. The caregiver may need to learn special skills to take care of this wound.

 

General principles of wound care

  • Careful hand washing before attending to a wound is probably the single most effective method for preventing wound infections.
  • Use normal saline solution as a cleansing lotion unless some other solution is recommended by your doctor
  • Use a non-touch technique. Clean the wound with the forceps provided in the dressing set and avoid using bare hands.
  • Maintain a clean environment to minimise dust.
  • Cover the entire wound to prevent bacteria from contaminating the wound.
  • Use non-adhesive gauze. This prevents peeling of the healing tissue each time the dressing is removed, and promotes healing.

 

How to do a dressing


You will be taught how to do a dressing during the homecare training programme.

  • Always make sure that you wash your hands before and after the dressing.
  • Dispose used materials and soiled dressings properly in a plastic bag as shown in the picture below.
  • Remember the general principles of wound care, described earlier whenever you do a dressing.
step 1centre
step 2 edge
step 3 surrounding

 



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