Wound Cleaning Demonstration

Key Steps — Cleaning a wound

A visual demonstration of wound cleaning without narration. The checklist below is the standard sequence the demonstration follows.

1. Explain the procedure, provide privacy, and position the patient so the wound is well lit and accessible.
2. Perform hand hygiene and put on gloves; set up a sterile field with cleaning solution, gauze and a dressing pack.
3. Remove the old dressing, noting its condition and any odour or discharge, and dispose of it as clinical waste.
4. Assess the wound: size, depth, tissue type, moisture, odour and the surrounding skin.
5. Cleanse the wound with the solution prescribed, working from the cleanest area toward the least clean and using each swab once only.
6. Irrigate or gently wipe away debris and excess fluid until the wound bed is clean.
7. Pat the surrounding skin dry without disturbing the wound bed.
8. Apply the new dressing selected for the wound's assessment.
9. Make the patient comfortable, dispose of waste and gloves, and perform hand hygiene.
10. Document the assessment, the cleansing and the dressing applied.

Download the printable Key Steps checklist (PDF)

Steps summarise this demonstration for education. Always follow your institution's protocol. More Wound Care & Dressings skills →