Answers to "Which Dressing Should I Use"?

Published

  • Home Health Columnist / Guide
    Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion. Has 46 years experience.

"Which Dressing Should I Use" is a frequent lament on AN.

The Wound Care Education Institute has a wonderful outline of wound care product selection advice under Wound Dressing Categories, including indications and disadvantages:

http://woundconsultant.com/files/WOUND_DRESSING_CATEGORIES.pdf

See their many resources...bottom section of website has web links too.

Pressure Ulcer Staging

Differentiating Lower Extremity Ulcers

Moist Wound Healing

Wound Documentation Tips

Prevention of Skin Breakdown

Nutrients Necessary for Wound Healing

Non-Sterile Dressing Change Procedure

Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) Documentation Form

Wound Dressing Categories

Dakins Solution Recipe

Home Health Columnist / Guide

NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN

11 Articles; 17,862 Posts

Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion. Has 46 years experience.

The Prevention and Treatment of Pressure Ulcers - USPharmacist ...

tbl2.jpg

Added to above list:

Antimicrobial dressings include:

a. Iodine solution: Iodoform gauze -packing strips sizes 1/4", 1/2" , 1", 2"; Iodasorb gel

b. Silver impregnated: Acquacel Ag; Acticoat, Silvasorb,

c. Metronidazole gel -good for fungating wounds.

Article: ABC of wound healing: Wound dressings

Wound Source website has list of dressing categories with product names + manufacture:

Dressings | Wound Care Dressings for Treatment of Pressure Ulcers |Diabetic Ulcers and Venous Ulcers

Wound product pictures can be viewed at DME sites that include pricing like

Medical Department Store

Wound Care Shop

=WDC&SearchOrder=2&SearchMax=1000&SearchWV=TRUE&SearchFuzzy=FALSE&Start=1&Count=10&t=3&t1=3"]Sterling Medical Services

Disclamer: above sites have good pictures of products on the market, no endorsement/experience implied.

VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN

105 Articles; 5,349 Posts

Specializes in Gerontological, cardiac, med-surg, peds. Has 16 years experience.

THANK YOU!!! :)

Has 8 years experience.

My facility has an EXCELLENT wound care team that has spoiled the hospital rotten with outstanding wound consults & detailed wound care instructions for every wound possible. For those who want this to be their speciality, consider attaining your CWOCN.

amygarside

1,026 Posts

Thanks for sharing, NRSKarenRN!

allnurses Guide

Hygiene Queen

2,232 Posts

This is a timely post, for me.

Thank you!

sweetgeorgia

26 Posts

Thank you! These resources are greatly appreciated! :)

RiverNurse

170 Posts

Specializes in Certified Wound Care Nurse.

NRSKarenRN - has anyone told you today just how amazing you are?

I'm currently doing my wound care clinical rotation (CWCN boards to follow) and all your tips and links are most helpful!

Many thanks,

RiverNurse

Home Health Columnist / Guide

NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN

11 Articles; 17,862 Posts

Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion. Has 46 years experience.

Many thanks to Stephanie CETN who taught me the ropes about wound care.