Exudative wounds in palliative care

To manage exudative wounds in patients with palliative care needs, consider the following strategies:

• Use a high absorbency dressing (eg hydrocolloid), with further packing on top and a protective layer to shield the patient’s clothing.
• Change the top dressing layer as often as necessary, but avoid frequent changes of the dressing placed directly over the wound, or use a nonadherent dressing over the wound.
• Consider covering exudative wounds with a bag (as with a colostomy) to collect secretions and contain odour.
• Protect the surrounding good skin with barrier cream (eg Comfeel Barrier Cream, Sudocrem, zinc and castor oil cream) or barrier film spray.