1. Health Science Technology
Wound Care and Healing
Health Science Technology

2. Goals of Wound Care Remove necrotic tissue to promote wound healing
Prevent, eliminate, or control infection
Absorb drainage (exudate)
Maintain a moist wound environment
Protect the wound from further injury
Protect the surrounding skin from infection and trauma

3. Stages of Wound Healing
1.Primary Stage= inflammation
2.Secondary Stage= proliferation (granulation)
3. Tertiary Stage= maturation (wound remodeling)

4. Primary Stage of Wound Healing
Inflammatory Phase caused by histamine and prostaglandin
Lasts days
Edema leads to a reddened, swollen, and tender wound
Healing process is controlled by the release of neutrophils and macrophages

6. Secondary Stage of Wound Healing
Proliferative or Granulation phase
Begins 1-4 days after the injury and ends days later
Rapid growth of epithelial cells to produce a protective covering for the wound
Healthy granulation tissue has a healthy reddish-pink color

9. Tertiary Stage of Wound Healing
Maturation, or wound remodeling-
Begins days after the injury and can last up to 2 yrs.
Scar shrinks and thins and becomes less red

12. Wound Healing
In order to accomplish the goals of wound care, a moist wound environment must be maintained
Wound cannot be too dry or too moist
All wounds require a dressing that is dry on the air-exposed side to prevent bacterial invasion
Dressing should be secured over the wound and taped in place using the “window paning” method of taping

13. Wound Treatments If epidermal (surface) injury:
-clean the wound, apply antibacterial ointment and cover
If bleeding:
-Apply pressure with a gloved hand.
-Elevate affected area above the level of the heart to slow blood flow-bleeding should stop after minutes. Cover.

14. Wound Treatment
Antibiotics if animal/human bite, or if not cleaned properly
Sutures if wound is deep or large
Tegaderm or Hydrogel for elderly in lieu of sutures due to fragile skin.

16. Types of Dressings Wound Vac-
-used for wounds with excess exudate, excess edema, bacterial burden, absence of moisture
Dry sterile dressing-used for wounds with little to no drainage.
Wet to dry dressing-used for wounds in granulating phase of healing

17. Alternative Wound Care Methods
Maggot Therapy-

18. Maggot Therapy Maggots can effectively: -Debride (clean) the wound
-Promote wound healing
-Kill bacteria
Maggot Debridement Therapy (MDT) is indicated for non-healing wounds such as:
-Venous ulcers, diabetic ulcers, etc.

19. Leech Therapy
-Leeches secrete an anticoagulant that increases blood flow
-They are painless to attach because they secrete an anesthetic
-Used primarily in Eastern medicine, but also in Western medicine.
-Can be used for more than just wounds, ex: psoriasis