wound care
Tracheostomy care Instructed patient caregiver It is important to routinely clean the skin around the opening of the tracheostomy (stoma). This
will help prevent skin irritation and the build-up of secretions.
Urostomy care Instructed patient When to Change the Pouch. Most urostomy pouches need to be changed 1 to 2 times a week. It is
important to follow a schedule for changing your pouch. DO NOT wait until it leaks because urine leaks can harm your skin.
Instructed patient to cleanse feet daily, dry thoroughly especially in between toes. Examine feet daily for bruises/sores/blisters, if any noted, notify MD asap. (use a mirror if needed to visualize) Wear proper fitting shoes and wear slippers/shoes at all times, and exercise feet daily. Demonstrated feet exercises, verbalized understanding.
SN Instructed to the urostomy care: How to change the Urostomy bag: Prepare the new bag. Gather everything you need in the bathroom: plastic bags, toilet paper, paper towels or a soft washcloth, a clean cloth wipe, an additional skin barrier in the form of a paper towel (if desired) and a new bag.If the bag you use does not come with a skin barrier already made, take the measurements and now form the opening with scissors. Slowly remove the skin barrier lining. Put aside the skin barrier. Empty the used bag before removing it. To empty the bag, sit on the toilet or stand in front of it: Remove the used bag. To remove the used bag, sit on the toilet or stand in front of it. Carefully separate the skin from the skin barrier with one hand. To do this, start at the top edge of the skin barrier. With the other hand, slowly release the skin barrier from top to bottom. Seal the used bag tightly inside a plastic bag and dispose of it in the trash: Clean the area around the stoma. Use toilet paper to clean urine and mucus in the stoma or the skin around it. Clean the skin with warm water and a soft cloth wipe or a paper towel. Clean up to the stoma border. You can also do this while showering. Dry the skin without rubbing, using a clean towel; and Place the new bag. Use a folded paper towel or a piece of gauze to keep the stoma dry while placing the new pouch. Once you have changed the bag, wash your hands.
Instructed patient check for redness, swelling, any drainage or excess skin growing around the tube. A small amount of clear tan drainage can be normal. Call your care team with any concerns. Instructed patient remove old dressing (if dressing is being used). Look at the area where the tube enters the skin
Instructed patient What are some of the benefits of the care wear PICC line cover. The PICC line cover is antimicrobial.
It is machine washable and can be machine dried with the rest of the laundry. The PICC line cover has a unique mesh
window that allows for air to get into the dressing which is required for the dressing to be fully functional.
SN instructed patient High blood pressure often has no warning signs or symptoms, so many people don’t realize they have it. Some symptoms may include headache, blurred vision, nervousness, sweating, difficulty sleeping or facial flushing. Even with no symptoms, hypertension needs ongoing treatment to protect the heart, kidneys and other organs from further damage.
Tracheostomy care Instructed patient caregiver Signs and symptoms of difficulty breathing are: Retractions Pulling of the skin between the ribs, under the breastbone or around the trach itself. Also symptoms of difficulty breathing are: Sweaty and pale skin, a person is sweaty and pale and seems to be working hard to breathe while at rest, dusky lips or nail beds. The lips or nail beds look dark, dusky or blue.
Instructed patient caregiver clean technique includes tracheostomy care: hand washing, using gloves is optional, re-using a trach tube and/or inner cannula that has been properly cleaned, using prepared sterile water and normal saline, re-using the same trach ties if they are properly cleaned, re-using suction catheters if they are properly cleaned ( up to 8 hrs or 3/per day )
Instructed patient about the skin around your stoma should look like it did before surgery. The best way to protect their skin is by:
using a bag or pouch with the correct size opening, so waste does not leak, taking good care of the skin around your stoma.