Background Preventing patient pain and tissue trauma to the wound and surrounding skin are key considerations for nurses at the time of dressing changes. Mark Collier and Helen Hollinworth present the preliminary findings from a recent survey among nurses with an interest in wound care on the selection of dressing types.
Conclusion Education of student and post-registration nurses about the properties of dressing products, with an understanding of the potential detrimental effects as a result of pain and trauma, is needed to help promote quality wound care. Selecting appropriate dressings was reported as the main strategy nurses adopted to help prevent pain and trauma at the time of dressing change. Appropriate product selection can improve patients’ quality of life and optimise wound healing potential.
