How to change a surgical dressing

A well-applied dressing could be the difference between a healthy wound that heals fast and one that gets heavily infected and takes much longer. Before you begin, you need to make sure that your hands are thoroughly clean. Ideally, use a new pair of gloves. Firstly, to remove the old dressing you must loosen or cut the tape. It is important to dispose of the old dressing carefully so as to avoid unnecessary infection. Check the condition of the wound and clean it according to the instructions given by the doctor. This might involve using a saline or soap solution. Generally, it is best to avoid alcohol or other liquids unless the doctor has instructed you to do so. For some wounds, the doctor will recommend keeping it dry, so always follow instructions. After this, wash or sterilize your hands to avoid contaminating the clean wound and the new dressing. Signs of infection include: if the area around the wound is red or swollen, if there is a lot of blood or other liquid coming from it or if there is a bad smell. For any of these, you should contact your doctor. You should also call the doctor if you develop a temperature of over 37. 5°C. Finally, apply any antibiotic cream prescribed by the doctor. Put on the new dressing, being careful not to touch the wound or the inside of the dressing. The original dressing should be changed after two days unless your doctor tells you differently or the dressing is wet.