Concentrate on Cleansing:
Better Care at Wound Dressing Change

Concentrate on Cleansing:

Better Care at Wound Dressing Change

Short Course Overview

Wound cleansing is an intervention synonymous with dressing change procedures – a well-established practice in modern health care with a recorded history as far back as 2000 BC. The history of wound cleansing demonstrates that over time, there has been changes made to recommended practices, which coincided with either knowledge advancement and or innovation, relating directly to the solution and method utilised at the time.

Today, with a global acceptance of Wound Bed Preparation (WBP) principals, and the rapid evolution of our understanding of biofilm formation & reformation, and skin microbiome, it's time to reflect and consider our practices, traditions and can we dare say 'rituals' and ask the question – is the skin and wound of those in our care really 'cleaner' after a dressing change procedure?

It is essential for providers of skin & wound care to keep up–to–date with practice elements which apply across the continuum of care, acknowledging the integral role and positive influence we can have on risk minimisation, potential outcomes and lives lived by 'Concentrating on Cleansing' - in everyday practice.

This short course learning resource aims to raise awareness to and broaden healthcare professionals (HCPs) understanding of the significance and impact of effective wound cleansing. It will focus on a 'Practice with Purpose' approach – challenging ritualistic and ineffective practices which can compromise clinical outcomes and contribute to increased risk complications and of hard-to-heal wounds.

This clinical update will clarify term definitions, identify skin & wound locations requiring effective cleansing and consider solutions, techniques, pressures and quantities. Current best available recommendations for ''therapeutic'' cleansing, (skin & wounds), Mechanical wound debridement, Biofilm Based Wound Care (BBWC) and Wound Hygiene*, can guide better person-focused care planning, delivery and evaluation of outcomes.

*Murphy et al (2020/ 22)