The phases of wound healing are hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and maturation (remodeling).
A moist wound environment promotes cell migration, epithelialization, collagen synthesis, and reduces pain and inflammation.
Factors include hypovolemia, hypotension, infection, diabetes, corticosteroid therapy, and advanced age.
Steps include preparing the equipment, applying gloves, removing old dressings, irrigating the wound with a cleansing solution, and applying a new dressing.
Contraindications include necrotic tissue with eschar, untreated osteomyelitis, exposed vasculature, and patients at high risk for bleeding.
The expected outcome is to determine the wound's healing progress and to adjust the care plan as necessary.
Parameters include location, type of wound, extent of tissue involvement, type and percentage of tissue in the wound base, wound size, exudate characteristics, and periwound skin condition.
Secondary intention occurs when wounds are left open and heal by granulation tissue formation, resulting in tissue loss and longer healing time.
A wound assessment provides a baseline for planning treatment options and evaluating the progress of wound healing.
Primary intention occurs when the edges of a clean surgical incision remain close together, allowing for quick healing with minimal tissue loss.
Debridement removes nonviable tissue from the wound, which is essential for optimal healing and preventing infection.
Granulation tissue indicates a wound moving toward healing, characterized by red to pink color and moist appearance.
Removing sutures and staples is necessary to prevent complications such as infection and to allow for proper healing of the wound.
Wound irrigation cleans and debrides necrotic tissue with pressure that can remove debris from a wound bed without damaging healthy tissue.
Signs include increased pain, redness, swelling, drainage, and odor, which may indicate infection or delayed healing.
NPWT facilitates healing by applying subatmospheric pressure to a wound, which helps remove edema and wound exudates, and stimulates granulation tissue formation.
Assess the wound for signs of healing, integrity of the suture line, and any signs of infection before removal.
