Wound dressing Buying Guide

I. Device Introduction

1. Device Overview Wound dressings are a basic medical device widely used in the medical field. Their core functions are to cover and protect wounds, and to provide a suitable microenvironment for wound healing. They are designed to isolate external contamination through a physical barrier, absorb wound exudate, thereby effectively preventing infection, reducing pain, and accelerating the tissue repair process. Wound dressings are an indispensable component of modern wound management, addressing the limitations of traditional gauze in terms of breathability, absorbency, and microenvironment maintenance, and providing professional solutions for the effective care of various non-chronic wounds.

2. Introduction to Device Types Although there is a wide variety of wound dressings, based on their basic composition, the wound dressings referred to in this introduction typically consist of the following core components:

   • Adhesive substrate: Usually a sticky backing material used to firmly secure the dressing to the skin, ensuring the dressing's stability and sealing.
   • Absorbent pad: This is the core functional layer of the dressing, generally made of highly absorbent materials such as cotton fiber or non-woven fabric, capable of effectively absorbing wound exudate and keeping the wound dry. It is worth noting that absorbent pads can sometimes be used alone, but require external fixation materials such as bandages or tape.
   • Peelable protective layer: Covers the adhesive side or absorbent pad of the dressing before use, to maintain the dressing's sterile state and protect its stickiness; it must be removed before use. The combination of these components allows the dressing to adapt to the needs of different wounds, providing comprehensive protection and promoting healing.

3. Introduction to Device Functions Thanks to their ingenious design, wound dressings possess multiple key functions and technical characteristics:

   • Physical barrier protection: The dressing forms a physical barrier, effectively blocking external bacteria, dust, and other contaminants from entering the wound, significantly reducing the risk of infection.
   • Exudate absorption: High-performance absorbent pads can quickly absorb exudate secreted by the wound, preventing fluid accumulation locally on the wound, avoiding skin maceration, and simultaneously maintaining appropriate wound moisture, which is beneficial for cell growth.
   • Microenvironment maintenance: By absorbing exudate and allowing a certain degree of breathability, the dressing creates and maintains an ideal moist healing microenvironment for the wound, which is crucial for promoting epithelial cell migration, collagen synthesis, and angiogenesis.
   • Fixation and support: The adhesive substrate provides stable fixation, ensuring the dressing does not shift; for areas requiring fixation of puncture instruments (such as catheters), the dressing can also provide additional support and protection.
   • Sterility and safety: Wound dressings are typically supplied in a sterile state and are for single use, ensuring the hygienic safety of medical procedures. Their ingredients are strictly screened and are not absorbable by the human body, further guaranteeing patient safety.

II. Scope of Application

1. Application Scenarios Due to their wide applicability and convenience, wound dressings play an important role in various medical and daily care scenarios:

   • Hospital environment: Outpatient clinics, emergency departments, operating rooms, inpatient wards, etc., used for post-operative sutured wounds, various mechanical traumas, and the care and fixation of puncture instrument sites.
   • Home care: Used for emergency treatment and subsequent care of common superficial wounds in daily life, such as minor cuts, abrasions, and lacerations.
   • Cosmetic medical institutions: After laser, phototherapy, chemical peels, or micro-plastic surgery, used to protect damaged skin and promote healing.
   • Pediatric care: Particularly suitable for cleaning and protecting infant umbilical cords to prevent infection.
   • Emergency scenes: As an important material for primary trauma treatment, used for quickly covering and protecting various accidental injuries.

2. Applicable Diseases and Symptoms Wound dressings primarily provide care for non-chronic wounds, specifically including but not limited to:

   • Superficial wounds: Damage to the skin surface, such as abrasions, minor cuts.
   • Post-operative wounds: Protection and promotion of healing after surgical incision suturing.
   • Mechanical trauma: Skin or soft tissue damage caused by external forces.
   • Burns and scalds: First-degree or superficial second-degree burns and scalds, to protect blisters and damaged skin.
   • Puncture sites: Care for sites after puncture procedures such as infusion, blood drawing, catheter insertion, and can also be used to fix puncture instruments (e.g., catheters).
   • Special wounds: Umbilical cord wound care for infants; skin wound care after cosmetic procedures such as laser, phototherapy, chemical peels, and micro-plastic surgery.

3. Contraindicated Populations According to the provided product description, specific contraindicated populations are not explicitly stated. However, based on general principles for medical device use, the following situations typically require attention:

   • Individuals allergic to dressing materials: Patients with a known history of allergy to any component of the dressing (e.g., adhesive, cotton fiber, non-woven fabric) should avoid use.
   • Deep or infected wounds: The intended use of this product is for "non-chronic wounds." For wounds that are deeply infected, necrotic, or have a large amount of exudate accompanied by systemic infection symptoms, more specialized treatment methods should be chosen under the guidance of professional medical personnel, and this dressing should not be used alone.
   • Arterial bleeding or severe trauma: For severe trauma requiring emergency hemostasis or surgical intervention, dressings cannot replace professional emergency treatment.

III. Usage Guidelines and Precautions

1. Method/Steps for Use or Operation Correct usage is key to ensuring wound dressings achieve their best effect:

   1. Wound cleaning: Before applying the dressing, thoroughly clean the wound and surrounding skin with physiological saline or other medical cleansers to remove dirt, foreign matter, and exudate. After cleaning, gently dry the skin around the wound with sterile gauze or cotton swabs to ensure the dressing can adhere firmly.
   2. Dressing selection: Choose a dressing of appropriate size according to the wound size, ensuring that the absorbent pad completely covers the wound and that there is sufficient adhesive area around the edges.
   3. Open packaging: Carefully tear open the packaging along the opening, remove the sterile dressing, avoiding hand contact with the sterile surface of the dressing.
   4. Remove protective layer: Carefully peel off the peelable protective layer from the back of the dressing, exposing the adhesive surface and absorbent pad.
   5. Dressing application: Align the absorbent pad with the center of the wound, gently apply it, then smooth the edges of the dressing to ensure it adheres tightly to the skin without air bubbles or wrinkles.
   6. Fixation (if needed): If it is an absorbent pad without an adhesive substrate, external fixation with medical bandages or tape is required. If used to fix puncture instruments, ensure the instrument is stable and the dressing is secure.
   7. Regular replacement: Replace the dressing regularly according to the amount of wound exudate, healing status, and doctor's advice. Generally, when the dressing is saturated with exudate or becomes loose, it should be replaced promptly.

2. Common Mistakes to Avoid To ensure the safe and effective use of wound dressings, the following common mistakes should be avoided:

   • Failure to thoroughly clean the wound: This is the most common mistake and can lead to bacteria proliferation under the dressing, causing infection. It is essential to thoroughly clean and dry the wound before applying the dressing.
   • Reusing or using expired products: This product is "for single use" and "supplied sterile." Reusing it significantly increases the risk of infection; using expired products cannot guarantee their sterility and functionality.
   • Improper dressing size: A dressing that is too small cannot fully cover the wound and will not provide protection; a dressing that is too large may lead to waste or discomfort.
   • Dressing not secure or having wrinkles: If the edges of the dressing are not tightly adhered, it can easily curl up or detach, allowing external contaminants to enter the wound.
   • Failure to replace the dressing promptly: When the dressing is saturated with exudate, its absorption capacity decreases, and the moist environment can lead to wound maceration, which is not conducive to healing. It should be replaced promptly.
   • Failure to observe wound changes: During dressing use, the wound should be regularly checked for signs of infection such as redness, increased pain, abnormal color or odor of exudate. If any abnormalities are found, seek medical attention immediately.
   • Using on unsuitable wounds: Strictly adhere to the intended use of "for non-chronic wounds" and avoid using it on deep, severely infected, or necrotic wounds, so as not to delay treatment.