You are asked to change the dressings daily and document the drainage. What precautions will you take to prevent this patient from obtaining a nosocomial infection?

To prevent the patient from obtaining a nosocomial infection when changing dressings and documenting drainage, it is important to practice good hand hygiene. Before and after every interaction with the patient or any equipment used in their care, it is recommended that gloves be worn and hands washed with antibacterial soap. Furthermore, all surfaces that are going to come into contact with the wound should be disinfected using an approved hospital-grade cleaner. Disposable gowns should also be worn while providing care for the patient if possible as this further reduces risk of spread of germs. Additionally, proper disposal techniques must be followed when removing soiled material such as bandages and dressings. Gloves should again be worn to ensure safe removal of these items without contamination occurring directly on skin or clothing.
Finally, sterile materials should always used to change dressings on wounds; for example, clean bandages must not touch areas which were previously covered but contaminated instead a new bandage must always be applied each time dressing changes are conducted. Documentation of drainage can also help inform healthcare professionals in identifying potential signs of infection early before any major complications occur. By following these simple precautionary steps then a nosocomial infection can hopefully avoided during daily dressing changes and documentation processes for the patient’s safety and wellbeing.