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Continuing on in our series on modalities used in wound management, this week we’ll cover whirlpool, including its indications, contraindications and advantages over other wound care modalities. Functions of Whirlpool Whirlpool was initially reserved as a method of debridement for patients who had suffered burns. Today, whirlpool is used much more extensively and serves a…

Although not a true modality, wound irrigation is a common treatment that serves multiple purposes. Let’s look at some of the ways in which wound irrigation can be used to enhance wound healing. Functions of Wound Irrigation Wound irrigation serves many important functions: removes cellular debris that is loosely adherent remove surface bacteria removes wound…

Wound management is a rapidly growing field, with new developments and discoveries coming one after the other. We’ve come a long way from the days where all wounds were managed with gauze (although gauze is still sometimes appropriate). What’s coming in the field of wound management? Let’s take a look at some of the “up…

In part 1, we discussed the risk factors contributing to periwound breakdown. Now let’s turn our attention to prevention. Prevention of Periwound Damage There are five keys to preventing periwound damage. These are: Identifying patients at high risk for periwound skin damage (discussed in part 1 https://woundeducators.com/periwound-care/) Minimizing contact of the periwound skin with wound drainage…

Any patient with a wound is vulnerable to skin and periwound breakdown as well. There are several factors that clinicians must be aware of in order to help protect the periwound. Why is the periwound vulnerable? Because the periwound lies adjacent to a draining wound, it may be exposed to excessive amounts of moisture. Excessive…