Information about Wounds

To be as healthy as possible, people need intact skin.  If a client’s skin has no wounds, your goal is to keep it that way.  But, if a client has surgery, develops a wound, or is injured, you can play an important role in helping the skin heal.  Wound healing is a complex process that begins as soon as the skin is injured.

THE WOUND HEALING PROCESS

The Inflammatory Phase occurs during the first few days as the body creates a clot and sends healing cells to the wound.

The Proliferative Phase lasts three weeks or so as special cells grow to begin filling in the wound and new skin begins to grow.

The Remodeling Phase can last a few weeks or as long as a few years!  Collagen—or scar tissue—continues to fill in the wound.

WHAT KEEPS WOUNDS FROM HEALING?

• Age
• Too thin or too heavy
• Certain medications
• Chronic diseases
• Infection
• Incontinence
• Altered mental status
• Mobility problems
• Stress

HOW TO HELP WITH WOUND HEALING

• Know the location of every wound so that you can be extra careful with that area of the body.
• You may be asked to cover a client’s wound with plastic wrap or a plastic bag for bathing.  Make sure the dressing is completely covered before the client begins bathing.
• Report any signs of infection immediately, including fever or skin that is red, swollen and warm to the touch. 
• Some wounds have an unpleasant odor.  If the nurse tells you that the odor is normal, help the client deal with the smell with room freshener, fresh air or a small fan. 
• Keep an eye on the client’s dressing.  Let your supervisor know if the dressing:
  
  • Comes loose or is pulled off by the client.
  • Seems wet, smells bad or begins to leak fluid, pus or blood.
  • Gets soiled by urine or feces.