Wound Care Plan

Venous ulcer – General Practitioner

Last Updated
19 May 2025
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Quick Overview

Reference ID Number: PH-WCP-004

Categories

Vascular

Scope of Practice (ScOP) Designation

General Practitioner,Practice Nurse

Treatment Goals

Remove cellular debris by mechanical or sharp debridement to allow for secondary intention healing to occur whilst providing venous insufficiency support

Aim of Dressing

Remove cellular debris or nonviable tissue within the pain threshold of the patient and apply compression to the level that the patient is compliant and happy with

Frequency of Dressing Change

2 Days(s) Min - 3 Days (Max)

Consult(s) / Diagnostic Test Required

Ankle Brachial Index/Toe Pressures

References

Shopping List

Dressing Pack (Small),Normal Saline,Prontosan (350ml Bottle),Inadine (10cm x10cm),Zetuvit Plus (10cm x 10cm),Fixomull Stretch,Coban 2,Iodosorb (10g),Gauze squares
Page Table of Contents

    Product Selection Disclaimer:

    The wound care products being currently used are a suggestion ONLY. They do not take into account your patient's individual needs which you must assess. No funding from medical companies has been provided and wound care products are chosen on their merit and what is available on the NSW Health State Wound Care Contract. Where an exact brand name product is not available we suggest you review the alternative tab or use another wound care product from its category eg. Hydrofibre

    Photo Gallery

    Care Plans

    Mechanical Debridement

    Patient have a vascular ulcer that is not infected and requires mechanical debridement

     Swipe 
    Before the procedure begins

    Assess the pain tolerance

    If patient has a very sensitive wound area consult with your Medical Officer regarding the use of local anaesthesia. This requires 30min to full take affect.
    Products Used
    Step 1

    Setup sterile field

    Setup your sterile field with all your sterile products
    Products Used
    Step 2

    Cleanse the wound bed

    Cleanse the wound bed by placing the woven gauze (not the pressed gauze found in your dressing pack) onto the wound and saturate with prontosan and allow to sit for 10 minutes.
    Products Used
    Step 3

    Mechanical debridement

    Use the gauze covered in prontosan to scrub the wound bed to remove the bioburden and any visible cellular debris or devitalised tissue
    Products Used
    Step 3a

    Stubborn tissue

    If stubborn devitalised tissue is found utilising iodosorb sachet or tube can aid in the debridement of the tissue
    Products Used
    Step 4

    Apply primary dressing

    Make sure there is enough layers to correspond with the next review of the dressing so that the dressing framework does not dry out and adhere to the wound
    Products Used
    Step 5

    Apply Secondary dressing

    Cover with secondary dressing
    Products Used
    Step 6

    Secure

    Secure with tape or compression dressings such as Coban 2 or ReadyWrap if the patient has been cleared for them by a Medical Officer
    Products Used

    Sharp Debridement with silver dressing

    Patient have a vascular ulcer that is infected and requires sharp debridement

     Swipe 
    Before the procedure begins

    Assess the pain tolerance

    If patient has a very sensitive wound area consult with your Medical Officer regarding the use of local anaesthesia. This requires 30min to full take affect.
    Products Used
    Step 1

    Setup sterile field

    Setup your sterile field with all your sterile products
    Products Used
    Step 2

    Clean the wound

    Cleanse the wound bed by placing the woven gauze (not the pressed gauze found in your dressing pack) onto the wound and saturate with prontosan and allow to sit for 10 minutes.
    Products Used
    Step 3

    Mechanical debridement

    Use the gauze covered in prontosan to scrub the wound bed to remove the bioburden and any visible cellular debris or devitalised tissue
    Products Used
    Step 4

    Sharpe Debridement

    Where the mechanical debridement fails and if the skill of sharp debridement is within your scope of practice proceed with removing devitalised tissue using a scalple
    Products Used
    Step 5

    Prepare and place the Acticoat flex

    Prepare the Acticoat Flex by submerging it in sterile water. And then place onto the wound bed. It is best practice to cut the dressing to the approximate size of the wound bed.
    Products Used
    Step 6

    Apply Secondary dressing

    Cover with secondary dressing
    Products Used
    Step 7

    Secure

    Secure with tape or compression dressings such as Coban 2 or ReadyWrap if the patient has been cleared for them by a Medical Officer
    Products Used