Pain management during dressing changes for clients with chronic wounds.

Abstract

Chronic wounds are considered a worldwide epidemic and pain is the most frequent symptom reported by the patients. Pain during dressing changes was ranked as the most unpleasant one. By interfering with dressing-related procedures, pain increases the risk for infection and impairs healing processes. The aim of this literature review is to explore strategies for efficient pain management in patients with chronic wound and identify factors that contribute to pain. The author of this study aims to answer following research questions: 1) What are the factors contributing to wound pain? (2) What methods can be used when treated wound related pain? The Coloplast Wound Pain Management Model (2008) was used as a theoretical framework. Findings show that infection, poor pharmacological management, anxiety, wound type, dressing removal and cleansing are the major causes contributing to wound pain. Also, primary care/home setting was linked to increased pain. A holistic pain management should consist of pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies, such as appropriate dressing regimen, analgesia, documentation, and use of assessment tools. Furthermore, a use of local analgesics was also discussed.