Matching Dressings to Wounds
Selection
- Wound etiology (acute-chronic)
- Depth of injury
- Amount of eschar and/or slough
- Likelihood of drainage
- Wound location
- Infection
Dressings indicated for necrotic/non-necrotic wounds
| Wound Type | Films (MVP) |
Foams | Hydrocolloid | Hydrogel | Calcium Alginate |
*Composite | Enzymes |
|
Non-Necrotic Non-Draining |
X
|
|
X
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
Draining Minimal |
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
Moderate
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
Large
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
X
|
|
|
Necrotic Non-Draining |
X
|
X
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
Draining Minimal |
X
|
X
|
X
|
X**
|
|
|
X
|
|
Moderate
|
|
X
|
|
X
|
X
|
|
|
|
Large
|
|
|
|
|
|
X**
|
X
|
Updated: June, 2006
* Composite Dressing: Semi-permeable dressings designed to absorb large amounts of drainage
** Possible silver nitrate dressing
NOTE:
- Remember that any solution put into a wound can be absorbed by the body.
- Remember gels add moisture and alginates absorb moisture.
RULE OF THUMB: Don't put anything into a wound that you wouldn't put in your eye.
Resources:
Links to Wound Healing Sites:
http://www.aawc1.com/AAWCLINKS1.htmWound Care Products: How to Choose
http://www.nursingcenter.com/prodev/ce_article.asp?tid=53574Hanging Wet-to-Dry Dressings Out to Dry
http://www.nursingcenter.com/prodev/ce_article.asp?tid=268923