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Non-Sterile Dressing Change

Changing a non-sterile dressing over a wound maintains cleanliness, monitors healing, and helps prevent infection.

22 steps·5 evaluator checkpoints·5 common mistakes

1Step-by-Step Procedure

1
Gather equipment: non-sterile gloves (2 pairs), clean dressings, medical tape, scissors, waterproof bag for disposal, optional saline or wound cleanser per care plan.
2
Wash hands.
3
Identify the resident and explain the procedure.
4
Provide privacy.
5
Raise the bed to a comfortable working height.
6
Open all supplies before beginning; set up a clean work area.
7
Put on the first pair of non-sterile gloves.
8
Remove the soiled dressing: loosen tape edges by pulling toward the wound; lift the dressing.
9
Note the dressing for the amount, color, odor, and type of drainage.
10
Discard the soiled dressing in the waterproof bag.
11
Remove the first pair of gloves and place in the waste bag.
12
Wash hands again.
13
Put on the second clean pair of gloves.
14
Inspect the wound: note the size, appearance, color, odor, and any signs of infection (increased redness, warmth, swelling, purulent drainage).
15
If wound cleansing is ordered: clean from the center of the wound outward in a circular or top-to-bottom motion using fresh gauze for each stroke.
16
Apply clean dressing over the wound.
17
Secure with tape on all edges.
18
Ensure the dressing is smooth and not too tight.
19
Dispose of all soiled materials in the waterproof bag; seal and discard.
20
Remove gloves and wash hands.
21
Lower the bed; ensure call light is within reach.
22
Document the dressing change, wound appearance, and drainage characteristics.

✓
First gloves used to remove soiled dressing; second clean pair used to apply new dressing.
✓
Hands are washed between removing the soiled dressing and applying the new one.
✓
Wound is inspected and drainage is noted.
✓
Soiled materials are contained and disposed of properly.
✓
Wound cleaning moves from clean to dirty (center outward).

⚠
Using the same gloves to remove the old dressing and apply the new one — this is a cross-contamination error.
⚠
Forgetting to wash hands between glove changes.
⚠
Cleaning the wound from the outer edges inward — always clean center outward.
⚠
Not noting drainage characteristics when removing the soiled dressing.
⚠
Not securing all edges of the new dressing with tape.

→
Two pairs of gloves: one to remove, wash hands, one to apply. Never skip this step.
→
Note drainage before discarding the old dressing — color, amount, odor.
→
Clean wound: center outward, using a fresh gauze for each stroke.
→
Report any sign of infection (increased redness, pus, warmth) to the nurse immediately.

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