Wound management

Submitted by Michaela Sholes

When discussing general wound management with the communities, we encourage the following actions to prevent infection and promote healing in a wound:

· Control any bleeding through elevating the limb and apply direct pressure with your fingers. Wear gloves and use a sterile dressing if possible, or ask the victim to apply pressure himself.

· Clean around the wound with soap and clean water or disinfectant (e.g., alcohol, peroxide). Clean all skin within 2 inches (50 mm) of wound, starting at the edges and spiraling away from the wound. Note: these liquids shouldn’t be poured into the wound, but instead are used to clean the outside of the wound.

· Flush the wound with clean, drinkable water (bottled, boiled, or cleaned by SODIS method). Use a Pure Water sachet or a small clean plastic bottle with a hole in the cap to squeeze water through the hole to create gentle pressure. Use at least ½ liter of water, or more for larger wounds.

· Do not remove large objects that are firmly embedded.

· Cover the wound with sterile gauze and a clean dressing.

·Change the dressings at least once every day or whenever the bandage becomes wet or visibly dirty.

Many of these steps are easier said than done…it IS a challenge to get clean water and to find items like sterile gauze. But it WILL make a difference between spending a little money/time now and spending much more money/time at the clinic later once an infection has set in.

Many of these steps are easier said than done…it IS a challenge to get clean water and to find items like sterile gauze. But it WILL make a difference between spending a little money/time now and spending much more money/time at the clinic later once an infection has set in.