+Ten top tips: common wound errors and means to correct

#1 Ignoring purulent malodorous drainage

Purulent drainage is a sign of active infection. As stated previously, pus is created when neutrophils are destroyed after engulfing microbes. This infection can quickly spread to the bloodstream, leading to sepsis.

Purulent drainage, especially abscesses, must be evacuated promptly to prevent the fluid collection from penetrating deeper into the patient’s soft tissues. 

 

#2 Waiting for the wound nurse.

There are many options to make this successful. One can be having multiple “skin champions” within the same area or unit to promote deeper understanding of wounds and increase the chances of one of them working during those other 128 hours. 

 Again, it is crucial for there to either be knowledge or a functional algorithm and instructions to ensure appropriate wound healing can occur when the wound nurse is not present. 

Depending on the size of the facility, multiple wound nurses may be appropriate. If possible, it would be beneficial for the wound nurses to work varied hours throughout the day, to assist in providing more readily available wound expertise. For example, one can work from 6am until 2:30pm, and the other works from 9:30am to 6pm.  This overlapping time allows for collaboration to occur while still providing increased access to experts.  

 

https://woundsinternational.com/journal-articles/ten-top-tips-common-wound-errors-and-means-to-correct/

Ten top tips: common wound errors and means to correct – Wounds International