Discharge Instructions: Packing a Wound
You will need to care for a special dressing or packing, in your wound. When a wound is deep, or when it tunnels under the skin, packing the wound can help it heal. The packing material soaks up any drainage from the wound helping the tissues heal from the inside out. Without the packing, the wound could close at the top. This would trap fluid and possibly bacteria in the deeper areas of the wound, delay healing, and lead to infection.
You should have been shown how to pack your wound before you left the hospital. If you are ever unsure how to pack your wound, contact your healthcare provider. However, these guidelines will help you to take care of your wound.
Gather your supplies
Keep your supplies all in one place. Put them in a basket or large bag. You will need the following:
- Packing material
- Sterile solution or liquid
- Sterile gloves
- A clean bowl
- Scissors
- A clean towel
- A bandage to put on the top of the wound after you have packed it
- Tape
- Cotton swabs
- A small plastic bag
Clean up
- Clean the area where you will set out your dressing supplies.
- Always wash your hands for at least 20 seconds before AND after caring for your wound. (Hum Happy Birthday twice if you need a timer.)
- Put a clean towel over the area and set a clean bowl on it. Do not touch the inside of the bowl.
Prepare the packing material
- Pour enough sterile solution/liquid into the clean bowl to wet the packing material.
- Cut off a length of packing material and drop it carefully into the bowl of sterile solution/liquid. (Remember: the amount of packing material needed to fill the wound should become less and less as the area heals).
- You will need to adjust the length of the packing material over time.
- Cut pieces of tape to desired lengths. You will use these strips to secure your outer dressing. For now, hang the pieces of tape on the edge of your work surface.
- Gently remove your existing bandage (old tape, outer dressing, and packing).
- Put these items in a small plastic bag for disposal.
Pack the wound
- Wash your hands thoroughly again. Use soap and water.
- Put on the gloves. Gently squeeze the packing material to get rid of excess solution/liquid. The packing material should be wet, but not dripping.
- Gently put the packing material into the wound. Packing should fill the wound space completely, but not tightly.
- Use a cotton swab to gently guide the packing into small or tunneled areas.
- Open your outer dressing material and place it on the towel. Keep it away from the bowl, and do not get it wet.
- Put the outer dressing over the packing and wound site.
- Tape the outer dressing in place.
- Remove your gloves.
- Wash your hands again with soap and water.
Follow-up
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When to call your healthcare provider
Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following signs and symptoms of infection:
- Increased redness or swelling around the wound
- Increased warmth of the wound
- Worsening pain
- Red streaking lines away from the wound
- Increased drainage including pus
- Malodor or bad smell coming from the wound
- Fever of 100.4°F (38ºC) or higher or as directed by your healthcare provider
Also call your provider right away if any of these occur:
- Numbness or weakness in the wound area that does not go away
- Bleeding or drainage is not decreasing or getting better
- Wound edges come apart
- Wound changes color
- Increased size or depth of the wound
- Decreased movement around the injured area
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