Quick Overview
Categories
Scope of Practice (ScOP) Designation
Aim of Dressing
This patient had a large amount of anxiety. The dressings is aimed at giving her the confidence to mobilise and interact with the physiotherapist. The plus side also is that large amounts of granulation tissue can be formed whilst this is occurring.
Associated Care Plans
Dressing Changes (Min - Max)
2nd Daily (Mon/Wed/Fri)
Shopping List
Friars Balsam (25ml)
Vac Dressing Foam – Silver – Large
Activac
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
Video Tutorial
Tutorial Steps
Swipe
Apply friars balsam liberally around the edges of the wound bed. Make sure you get in between the skin folds if the patient has them
Visualise the end of the tunneling portion of the wound bed and then insert the foam in. Do not over fill the cavity. A single nice snug piece of foam is enough.
In this particular patient the Consultant of the patient requested to have the silicone used. This is mainly used over tendon or bone. In this case it was the Consultants preference.
Apply the second foam over the silicone interface and making sure taht it is touching the other piece of foam.
Apply he film in manageable portions. DO not be fooled into doing a large sheet. This will make it very hard pulling back the leg skin folds if your patient has them.
Cut a large hold for the trac pad. Make sure it is at least the size of a 50c piece.
Check the orientation of the tub. Make sure it will not run under the patient’s leg. If the patient is mobilising make sure it does not become a trip hazard.
Hook the dressing up to the vac machine and cannister
Once you turn on the vac machine massage around the edges of the vac foam and wound edges to help seal the dressing.
You are awesome!
General Notes
What have we learnt:
1.Using black or silver foam for wound tracking can be used ONLY if you can see the most distal end of the wound
2.Doing the vac in manageable portions allows for a reduction of leaks and reduces the need for another health care worker to be there for the full dressing change
3.Preparation is key
What I could have done better and will improve on next time:
1)I could have asked for assistance for lifting the leg of the patient when I needed to do the last couple of vac sheets
** NOTE – The Consultant of the patient requested the silicone interface. This isn’t required unless there is bone or tendon on show. This was a special case as the consultant requested it **