Hanging Wet-to-Dry Dressings Out to Dry

Abstract

Wet-to-dry dressings have been standard procedure for home care wound care patients although research indicates gauze dressings are not an optimal wound care modality for the patient, the clinician, or the healthcare system. Gauze dressings do not effectively support optimal healing and are more labor intensive to use than advanced dressings such as films, foams, hydrocolloids, and hydrogels. This article provides clinicians with the rationale and evidence needed to collaborate with physicians in choosing the most cost-effective wound care products to achieve positive patient outcomes.