TY  - INPR
T1  - Just in the Nick of T.I.M.E.S.
T4  - The importance of debridement for wound assessment
T5  - Poster presented at Wounds Australia National Conference 2021
LA  - English
AU  - Crompton, Megan
AB  - Situation
Patient presented with a traumatic injury to left hand sustained while sailing. The wound was 3 weeks old and covered in hardened necrotic tissue.

Action(s) taken/ treatment provided
Upon advice from clinician, patient covered wound in plastic wrap overnight to soften and visited hospital the following morning. A monofilament fibre debridement lolly was used to mechanically debride outer necrotic eschar. An ionic hydrogel dressing was then applied for further autolytic debridement and deeper wound assessment. The dressing was removed after 24 hours and mechanically debrided again with monofilament fibre debridement lolly. After full wound assessment, decision was made to intervene surgically and patient received a skin graft within 24 hours.

Outcome(s)
After 3 months, the skin graft had healed and patient regained full use and movement of his hand.

Lesson(s) learned
The combination of mechanical and autolytic debridement using two simple, easy to use, community based products allowed for full assessment of the wound bed. The treating clinician was able to assess, dress, reassess and refer, resulting in a fast decision to send the patient for surgical intervention and improved overall clinical outcome.
CY  - Virtual Conference, Australia
Y2  - 1620079200
ER  -