Final answer:
To reduce the risk of infection during a wound dressing change, it is important to use clean, dry gloves, clean the wound correctly, apply a sterile dressing with clean hands, remove the old dressing gently, and avoid touching the wound with bare hands. Proper handwashing and aseptic technique are key to preventing infection.
Step-by-step explanation:
Interventions that decrease the risk of infection or damage to delicate tissue when changing a wound dressing include:
- Using clean, dry gloves to prevent the transmission of pathogens from the hands to the wound.
- Cleaning the wound from the center to the outside to avoid dragging bacteria from the outer, more contaminated areas to the less contaminated center.
- Applying a sterile dressing with clean hands, which have been washed following the CDC handwashing guidelines, to maintain the sterility of the dressing.
- Removing the old dressing gently, minimizing trauma to the wound, which can help prevent additional damage to the tissue and reduce the risk of infection.
- It is crucial to avoid touching the wound and surrounding area with bare hands, as even washed hands may still carry pathogenic microbes that can cause infection.
Proper handwashing is essential for decreasing the risk of infection. Washing hands thoroughly between every patient contact, after removing gloves, and before and after invasive procedures reduces the likelihood of introducing pathogens to a wound site. Strict adherence to aseptic technique is necessary to maintain sterile conditions and prevent sepsis.