Heat Therapy

[Dan's Sunshine]

I have to demonstrate the use of a moist hot compress tomorrow. I have all the reasons for doing this (promote circulation, reduce edema, ect..). One of the reasons is to consolidate exudate in a wound. Can someone explain this to me? Is exudate the fluid draining from the wound? By consolidate are we just keeping it from dripping? Not sure why this concept is not clear to me. Can anyone help?

Thanks :)

Brandy

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

Exudate is the drainage or debris from a wound. Warmth will cause protein to coagulate, or consolidate. So, some of the wound debris which may have dried will loosen up and some will coagulate and solidify so it can be removed easily. Also, with the wound you want to keep the free, unaffected edges of the wound protected from the drainage, as it will cause healthy skin to break down and become part of the wound. I think what you also want to understand is that by consolidating, or keeping the wound debris and drainage contained into the wound area itself, you are also protecting the healthy skin.

[Dan's Sunshine]

Thank you!! I really appreciate it :)