Effective Wound Management: Seven Steps

Understanding and implementing the seven steps of effective wound management is crucial for developing and supporting the most effective treatment plans for wound healing. Below is a summary of each step, its importance, and how it is performed.

1. Wound Assessment

• Objective: Identify and address issues that may delay healing.
• Procedure:
  • Inspect wound location, length, width, and depth.
  • Check for undermining (rolled-over lip) and tunneling.
  • Evaluate exudate for drainage color, odor, amount, and consistency.
  • Examine tissue appearance for color and moisture levels.
  • Assess the peri-wound area for integrity or maceration.
  • Identify signs of infection or bioburden (state between normal and infected tissue): redness (erythema), swelling (edema), warmth, odor, fever.
  • Assess patient's level of pain.

2. Cleansing the Wound

• Objective: Create an optimum environment for healing.
• Procedure:
  • Cleanse and irrigate to remove debris, exudate, pus, and bacteria.
  • Swab with dampened gauze or similar products.

3. Protect the Peri-Wound

• Objective: Prevent wound drainage from causing maceration and skin stripping.
• Procedure:
  • Clean with saline solution.
  • Apply a non-alcohol-based skin prep solution.

4. Fill the Wound

• Objective: Prevent abscess formation and promote healing.
• Procedure:
  • Pack open spaces with appropriate material (gauze, foams, fibers, alginates, shells).
  • Add antimicrobial agent for infected wounds.

5. Cover the Wound

• Objective: Maintain a clean, moist wound bed and prevent infection.
• Procedure:
  • Apply a protective dressing.
  • Use a secondary dressing if needed.

6. Secure the Dressing

• Objective: Protect the wound from pathogens and aid mobility.
• Procedure:
  • Use gauze, bandages, tape, film, or composite dressing to ensure dressings stay in place.

7. Evaluate Wound Healing Progress

• Objective: Determine effectiveness of treatment plan.
• Procedure:
  • Assess wound for healing or regression when changing dressings.
  • Check for new signs of infection.
  • Ensure dressings remain effective and secure.

Understanding and following these steps helps clinicians and wound care professionals promote effective healing outcomes. For further information, resources are available at Cardinal Health's website.