Changing your surgical dressing is a crucial part of the healing process. Here's a step-by-step guide to safely and effectively change your dressing:
Step-by-Step Instructions:
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Prepare Your Supplies: Gather all necessary materials:
- New sterile dressing (as instructed by your doctor)
- Medical tape
- Disposable gloves (two pairs)
- Plastic bag for disposal
- Hand sanitizer or soap and water
- Sterile saline solution (if instructed to clean the wound)
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Prepare the Area:
- Choose a clean, well-lit area.
- Clean a flat surface to lay out your supplies.
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Wash Your Hands: Thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
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Put on the First Pair of Gloves: Put on the first pair of disposable gloves.
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Remove the Old Dressing:
- Carefully loosen the tape on the dressing by gently pulling it toward the incision. Avoid pulling away from the incision.
- Remove the dressing one layer at a time.
- Place the used dressing immediately into the plastic bag.
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Remove Gloves and Wash Hands: Remove your gloves carefully, avoiding touching the outside of the gloves. Discard the gloves in the plastic bag. Wash your hands again.
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Assess the Wound (If Instructed): If your doctor has instructed you to clean the wound:
- Put on the second pair of disposable gloves.
- Gently clean the incision site with sterile saline solution using a sterile gauze pad, moving from the center outwards.
- Pat the area dry with a clean, sterile gauze pad.
- Important: Look for signs of infection (increased redness, swelling, pus, foul odor). Contact your doctor immediately if you notice any of these.
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Apply the New Dressing:
- Remove the new sterile dressing from its packaging, being careful not to contaminate it.
- Apply the dressing according to your doctor’s instructions. Ensure the entire incision is covered.
- Secure the dressing with medical tape.
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Remove Gloves and Dispose of Waste:
- Remove the second pair of gloves and dispose of them in the plastic bag.
- Seal the plastic bag and dispose of it properly.
- Wash your hands thoroughly.
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Document: Note the date and time of the dressing change. Record any observations about the wound (e.g., drainage, redness).
Important Considerations:
- Follow Your Doctor's Instructions: The specific instructions for your dressing change may vary based on the type of surgery you had and your doctor's preferences. Always follow their guidance.
- Sterility: Maintain a sterile environment as much as possible to prevent infection.
- Pain Management: If changing the dressing is painful, consider taking pain medication as prescribed by your doctor about 30 minutes beforehand.
- When to Contact Your Doctor: Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following:
- Signs of infection (redness, swelling, pus, foul odor)
- Increased pain
- Fever
- Bleeding that won't stop
- Separation of the incision edges
