One of the main reasons people visit the hospital is to take care of a wound. Therefore, it’s essential that hospitals stock the necessary equipment to aid in wound care. Here are the 12 wound care supplies every hospital should have.
Bandages
The first piece of wound care supplies that every hospital should have is bandages. Most wounds will require a dressing of some kind, especially if there is any bleeding or broken skin. Bandages help keep germs and bacteria out of injuries so that they can heal properly. There are several different styles, shapes, sizes, and materials that you can choose from to cover a wound. Hospitals must keep a variety of bandages in stock for the different needs of patients.
Gauze
Gauze is the second wound care supply item that every hospital needs in stock. Gauze is an incredibly versatile tool when it comes to wounds. You can use gauze to absorb any bodily fluids, such as blood or pus, that may come from a cut or injury. In addition, they provide a barrier from bacteria and germs that could enter the body through the injured area. Therefore, all hospitals should keep a supply of this essential item to aid in any necessary care that patients need.
Medical Tape
The third supply piece for wound care that each hospital should have is medical tape. When applying bandages, it’s imperative that they stay in place. Medical tape is an essential tool that secures gauze and dressings in place so that they don’t move or fall off a patient’s injury. Several types of medical tape are available, such as self-adhesive tape, waterproof tape, hypoallergenic tape, and many more. It’s helpful to keep a variety of medical tapes handy for different uses.
Alcohol Pads
Alcohol pads are the fourth addition to a hospital’s necessary wound care supply. Alcohol pads come in individually sealed packages and are for one-time use on a patient. Doctors and nurses use these pads to clean and sanitize wounds before applying a bandage. Nurses can also use alcohol pads to sanitize an area before administering an injection or performing an incision. Proper hygiene is essential when dealing with wounds of any kind, so alcohol pads help ensure that the site is clean to avoid bacteria or infection.
Medical Gloves
The fifth item needed for wound care is medical gloves. All doctors and nurses should wear medical gloves when dealing with a wound or injury of any kind. Medical professionals use gloves to protect themselves and patients from bacteria and infections. Medical gloves come in a variety of sizes and materials. Because many people have latex allergies, latex-free gloves are available to accommodate anyone with this particular allergy. Hospitals should always keep medical gloves in stock to ensure that medical professionals can follow best practices when addressing wound care.
Cotton Balls
Cotton balls are the sixth piece of wound care supplies needed for hospitals. Medical professionals often use cotton balls to clean a wound before dressing it. You can also use cotton balls as a sterile way to apply any topical ointments or creams that may be necessary for a particular wound’s healing process. Nurses often even use cotton balls to absorb any blood after administering an injection to a patient. Cotton balls have a diverse variety of uses and should be in every hospital’s wound care supply.
Hydrogen Peroxide
The seventh wound care item every hospital should have is hydrogen peroxide. Medical professionals use hydrogen peroxide as a mild antiseptic to sanitize cuts, scrapes, and wounds of all kinds. Hydrogen peroxide is a chemical compound that is safe to use on the skin. This compound ensures that an injury is free of any germs or bacteria that could potentially cause an infection. Therefore, every hospital should keep a stock of hydrogen peroxide to aid in wound care.
Benzoin Tinctures
Benzoin tinctures are the eighth item each hospital needs for their wound care supply. Doctors and nurses use benzoin tinctures as another form of antiseptic to clean wounds or injuries that are open to air and germs. You can even apply benzoin tinctures to canker sores in or around the mouth to allow them to heal properly.
Tourniquets
The ninth necessary item for a hospital’s supply of wound care is tourniquets. A tourniquet is a tool that medical professionals use to stop blood flow to a particular area of the body if a wound is causing a large amount of blood loss. Phlebotomists also utilize tourniquets when searching for the best vein to administer an IV.
Surgical Scissors
Surgical scissors are the tenth piece of equipment essential for hospital wound care. Medical professionals use surgical scissors to cut clothes off a patient to get to an injury quickly, cut bandages to the correct length, remove sutures, and even perform surgeries. These scissors have a large variety of uses and should be in stock at every hospital.
Sutures
The eleventh tool for every hospital’s wound care supply is sutures. Doctors and nurses use sutures, or stitches, to close skin or tissue wounds. For example, if a cut is too large to heal on its own, then a medical professional may decide that sutures are necessary for proper healing. Sutures come in both absorbable and non-absorbable materials, depending on the patient’s needs.
Medical Drapes
Medical drapes are the twelfth item every hospital should have for wound care. If a wound is critical enough to require a surgical operation, medical drapes will be necessary. Medical drapes are sterile fabric barriers that cover a patient’s body around the area requiring surgery. These drapes are there to eliminate the potential passing of bacteria and dangerous microorganisms from non-sterile to sterile environments. Essentially, medical drapes help keep germs away from the injured area during surgery.
Now that you know the 12 wound care supplies every hospital should have, you can begin stocking up today. Check out American Hospital Supply’s selection of wound care supplies to prepare your hospital for anything.
