Dressing Selection

In choosing a dressing, healthcare providers must ensure their choice is:

• directed by a comprehensive clinical assessment
• an appropriate treatment for the identified wound stage
• guided by person-centred preferences and goals

Select a dressing that meets the following criteria:

• Matches the volume of wound exudate, so that the wound bed is kept moist and the peri-wound is kept dry and intact
• Is appropriate to the size, depth, and location of the ulcer
• Loosely fills the wound cavity
• Decreases the frequency of dressing changes
• Is comfortable and cosmetically acceptable to the person
• Works in conjunction with adjunctive therapies
• Maintains a moist wound environment
• Controls exudates and keeps the peri-wound dry
• Provides thermal insulation and wound temperature stability
• Protects from contamination by outside micro-organisms
• May address bacterial bioburden
• Maintains its integrity while on the wound and does not leave behind fibers or foreign material when removed
• Minimizes pain and trauma to the wound bed, particularly on application and removal
• Is cost-efficient to the person and/or the person’s primary caregiver(s), and to the healthcare system
• Honours person-centred preferences, while being appropriate to the stage of the wound.
• Use dressing products according to manufacturers’ recommendations—that is, follow their indicated use and be aware of dressing contraindications.