What is surgical wound care?
Surgical wound care concerns the bandage and treatment of the cut site after surgery. The wound size can be long or short depending on surgery, but general steps in treatment after operation are the same. Most patients spend the first day in the hospital to recover from surgery, but it is important that they know the right techniques of surgical wound care when they return home.
wounds are generally covered with a non -stick bandage or dressing. The first day after the surgery should always remain in place. In some cases it may start slipping. When this happens, it should be gently removed and replaced by a new dressing. Hospitals or doctor's office should provide patients with another bandage for use at home, but if not, it is important to use a non -stick variety to avoid pulling and retracting at the cut point.
Most surgical wound care procedures also include the use of bacitracin or polymasti sporin, which help to speed up the healing process. They should be used DVJust a day after cleaning the wound with fine soap and warm water. Patients should not use other types of ointment as they can cause irritation and redness.
In most patients, bleeding and leaking clear liquid day after surgery is considered normal. If it persists after that time, it is probably due to too much movement at the point of cut. Patients should maintain the area as many to two days after surgery, and then regain the activity. If the bleeding began, the pressure on the area should be applied using a clean dressing. Most often it stops bleeding. Continued bleeding should be reported to doctors.
Three days after surgery, patients generally allow shower or bathe. The wound can soak, but the water should not be sprayed by Directly for the incision. If there is pain or irritation, it is often good to wait another day to try to shower again. Wet bandagesshould always be replaced immediately by dry.
Proper surgical wound care also means thoroughly cleaning an area with a cotton swab to remove dried blood or bark. This can be done during daily washing or separately. The dressings should be replaced and ointments should be used after each cleaning.
In some patients, the cut remains swollen, warm or painful several days after the surgery. Most often, painkillers will be provided by a patient's physician. Ice packages can also be used to alleviate swelling and pain used at 10 to 20 minutes intervals.