What is the correct sequence of wound care steps during home visits?

What is the correct sequence of wound care steps during home visits?

• A. Skip hand hygiene and reuse supplies.
• B. Hand hygiene, wear gloves, clean or irrigate as prescribed, apply dressing, seal wound, and dispose of supplies safely.
• C. Only apply dressing, no cleaning.
• D. Leave wound open.

Answer: (B)

In wound care during home visits, infection prevention and a proper protective barrier guide the steps. Start with hand hygiene to remove germs from your hands, then put on gloves to create a protective barrier for both you and the patient. Clean or irrigate the wound as prescribed to remove debris and bacteria and prepare a clean wound bed for healing. Apply the dressing to shield the wound from contamination and support a suitable healing environment, and seal the wound by securing the dressing so there’s a proper barrier and, if needed, prevents leakage. Dispose of supplies safely to prevent spreading organisms or creating hazards in the home. Skipping hand hygiene, reusing supplies, neglecting cleaning, or leaving the wound uncovered increases infection risk and slows healing.