Function of bandages Protection from trauma/infection/self mutilation Support for healing wounds and skeletal injuries Compression bandages to reduce swelling and haemorrhage Immobilisation to restrict movement and provide comfort

Structure of bandaging Dressing: in contact with the wound surface, debrides, wicks exudate away, interacts with the wound surface to promote healing Primary layer: Padding: protects, absorbs exudate, distributes compression evenly Secondary layer: Conforming materials: holds padding in place and compresses Tertiary layer: Outer protective materials: in contact with the environment, adhesive cohesive or non adhesive, controls movement of materials through to and from the wound surface eg. Air oxygen water contamination microorganisms and exudate

Dressing Adherent/non-adherent Absorbent/ non- absorbent Occlusive/semi occlusive or non-occlusive Passive /interactive or bioactive

Primary layer:Padding Absorbs, Protects/pads Cotton wool, sofban gamgee

Secondary layer: conforming materials Conforms and compresses padding to the dressing Wide mesh gauze tape Elastic wide mesh gauze tape

Tertiary layer Porous /Waterproof Conforming Adhesive /cohesive/ non adhesive Vetwrap, crepe bandage, elastoplast, sleek

observation of the wound and patient Erythema, heat oedema Pain, loss of function Exudate odour subjective assessment patient objective assessment patient TPR Appetite, ins and outs

prevention of self mutilation good operative technique dressings and foot bandages Elizabethan collars

Dressing changes Different dressings need change in different time frames and different stages of the wound require different attention to dressing changes

Why use as few dressing changes as possible?