Best Practices in Debridement: Techniques, Tools & Teamwork
Vascular surgeon Dr. John Lantis and wound care specialist Dot Weir walk through a hands‑on demonstration from SAWC Spring 2025, covering sharp debridement best practices across inpatient, outpatient, and bedside settings.
Highlights:
- Fundamental Preparation: Emphasis on cleansing both wound and peri‑wound areas (4–6 cm beyond edges) with low‑cytotoxic antiseptics—saline alone isn’t sufficient.
- Sterile Setup & Patient Comfort: Use of barrier drapes (e.g., opened instrument packaging), proper positioning, informed consent, and pain control (topical or infiltrative lidocaine).
- Instrument Technique: Sharp tools like #10 and #15 scalpel blades, curettes, scissors, and forceps are used at a 45° bevel that promotes healthy punctate bleeding without damaging tissue.
- Hemostasis & Dressing: Techniques to manage bleeding—pressure, hemostatic agents—and post-debridement cleanse to prepare for dressing application.
- Peri‑wound Awareness: Attention to skin beyond the wound itself, ensuring clean margins to prevent contamination and promote optimal healing.
This demonstration provides clear, actionable guidance to enhance debridement safety, efficacy, and patient comfort across care settings.
Watch the full video above or on the HMP Global Learning Network.
Keywords: debridement, sharp debridement, peri‑wound care, aseptic technique, pain management