Scissors with two sharp points come in many shapes and sizes. They can range from small, one-bladed scissors to heavy-duty blades that feature both curved and straight blades. Scissors are incredibly diverse tools that have many uses around the house, but they also provide assistance to healthcare professionals.
What is the purpose of dressings and how do they work?
Dressings are a protective barrier that promote wound healing. Dressings provide a moist environment, absorb excess fluid and give the skin a chance to heal without being disturbed by outside elements such as clothing or bedding. Many dressings must be cut to an appropriate size for the patient. Cutting the dressing with scissors helps prevent injury from ripping or tearing the dressing.
What type of scissors should be used to cut dressings?
When cutting dressings, it is important to use a pair of scissors that are specifically designed for the job. Scissors with two sharp points are ideal for this purpose. They are available in many different sizes and shapes, but all have one common goal- to cut dressings.
* Curved scissors are designed to align the blade with the wound’s edges, therefore reducing the risk of tearing or cutting through the dressing. They also cut easily through materials such as gauze and tape.
* Sharp-pointed scissors ensure accurate cuts while minimizing movement around the dressing site.
* Scissors with blunt tips prevent patients from being poked or scratched by hand-held devices.
Dressing removal tips
There are a few tricks that healthcare professionals can use to help reduce patient discomfort and anxiety.
* Remove the dressing quickly and efficiently. This helps avoid any tugging or pulling on the skin, which could cause scratching or further injury. It is best to apply gentle pressure with your hand as you cut the dressing so it peels away from the skin in one piece.
* Minimize how much the patient interacts with the dressing after it has been removed.
* Place a clean dressing on top of any exposed tissue or apply gauze and tape until the next dressing change.
These beneficial scissors are often found in first aid kits and some manufacturers offer them individually for sale to healthcare professionals.
* Cracked or loose blades cause the scissors to become dull, which could lead to cutting errors and potential injury.
* Blunt tips can flake off after repeated use, leaving sharp edges that may harm patients.
Scissors are valuable tools for healthcare professionals because they help caregivers do their jobs properly and safely. However, it is important to use the correct tools for each job, which is why dressing removal requires a special type of scissors. Talk with medical equipment suppliers about purchasing dressings and dressing removal devices and ask if they carry the right scissors for the job.
About Tapes & Bandages
Tapes and bandages are worn by individuals of all ages in everyday life. From the athletic field to the operating room, tapes and bandages play an important role in protecting and healing the body. While many people are familiar with adhesive bandages, there are a variety of tapes and bandages that serve different purposes.
Tapes are available in both fabric and plastic varieties, while bandages come in either cloth or plastic. Some bandages are pre-adhesive, which means that an adhesive strip is already attached to the back of the bandage pad and requires no extra steps before application. Other bandages require an adhesive strip or tape to be applied after the pad has been pressed against the skin.
Conclusion
Collecting the right equipment for a job is important in many occupations, but most importantly when working with a patient’s dressings. Dressings are an integral part of wound care and maintenance, so it is crucial that they are not cut excessively or removed without caution to prevent injury.
