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I'll use clean gloves for superficial wounds, incisions, etc., but for anything deeper than an abrasion, I use sterile technique! This is how I was taught, how everyone I work with does it (including the wound team) and what the books I've read say. Maybe something new is coming down the pike, who knows. I don't understand how it's not necessary to culture wounds? Obviously, if it's a clean wound with no signs of infection, we don't culture, but we always culture everything if we suspect the patient has an infection somewhere. Don't know if this helps much, but that's what I do.
I too was taught to use sterile technique with all wound care. (This was just 4 years ago). About a year ago, I was virtually blown away when I was helping our hospital's cert. wound/ostomy/skin care RN.She told me that only clean technique is needed with most wounds. She is very up to date in her knowledge, and I do trust her. However,we were changing a VAC dressing (vacuum assisted closure) of a HUGE abdominal wound. This wound was GIGANTIC and DEEP. We used CLEAN gloves only.
ohbet
386 Posts
I recently attended a wound care class. The instructor lectures all over the country on wound care,and has lots of credentials.
Any way,she said wound care does not require sterile tecnique,its a clean procedure. The only thing to remember is that any equipment and supplies you take into the room to do the wound treatment must stay in the room.
Well thats news to me. I was taught to use sterlie tecnique for wounds.All the texts also say to use sterile gloves.
She also said its unneccesary to culture wounds.
Is this how you perform wound care,using only clean gloves? and do you still culture wounds?