Tegaderm is not the newest advancement in wound care management, but the dressing has several benefits over other dressings. It comes in many shapes and sizes and is versatile and durable. The trend of sterile cotton dressings may be coming to an end. It is not just a dressing; it is a multi-functional and sterile barrier that helps in wound care.
Some of the uses for Tegaderm are wound care and surgical protection of an intravenous injection site. The dressing is composed of several layers of breathable substances that permit the skin to breathe but stops germs and bacteria from penetrating the wound.
Benefits:
Unlike traditional dressings, it can be worn for an extended period of up to seven days. Since it is transparent, it makes wound monitoring easy; it is also water proof and easy to apply and remove. Its removal does not cause discomfort.
Other Applications:
Back country wound management is a great environment for using Tegaderm. Prolonged expeditions will require the capacity to use a single dressing that permits visual exams without exposing the wound to further infection.
How to Use Tegaderm:
It is mostly used for wounds or other areas that require extra protection, such as IV insertion sites and bedsores. This dressing is used in most hospital and health-care settings. Another great benefit of Tegaderm is the ease of use for both healthcare professionals and patients.
Directions for Use:
-Shave any hair from the area where it needs to be applied.
-Clean the wound and its surrounding surface area. Depending on the type of wound, follow instructions as given by your doctor. This could include wiping down the area with an alcohol wipe or cleansing the wound with a sterile solution.
-Estimate the area of the wound and check the packaging to see what size will best suit the area.
-Remove the bottom part of the dressing and apply it to the skin. The dressing has a couple of covers over the sticky part of the dressing that will allow you to remove one part and stick it on the area to be covered. You will also be able to access the other half of the dressing, removing it to ensure correct placement and complete covering of the area.
-Remove the two additional backings that are on top of the dressing. These will be small and thin paper pieces. They will be visible to the eye as it is a transparent dressing, and the paper backings will be beige in color.