Wound Care Basics: What Ndis Home Nursing Provide
Wound care is a primary task in the NDIS home care space. Supporting someone with a wound — whether it’s a minor cut or a chronic ulcer — doesn’t need to feel overwhelming. Good wound care is about consistency, cleanliness, and understanding what the body needs to heal well. Here are foundational principles backed by current best practice.
1. Start With a Clean Wound
Clean the wound gently with running water or in the shower — one of the simplest and most effective methods.
Avoid harsh scrubbing.
Antibacterial solutions may help reduce biofilm and infection risk when clinically appropriate.
2. Assess Before You Dress
Identify the wound type, tissue, and contributing factors before choosing a dressing — rushing to the “latest dressing” is a common mistake.
Look for signs of infection, moisture balance, and pressure or shear.
3. Choose the Right Dressing
Dressings should support the wound’s immediate goal: absorb, protect, maintain moisture, or promote debridement.
A simple dressing is often best — complexity doesn’t equal effectiveness.
4. Prevent Infection
Keep the wound covered to create an optimal healing environment.
Monitor for redness, heat, swelling, odour, or increased pain.
Early intervention is key to preventing complications.
5. Offload and Reduce Pressure
Pressure and shear slow healing and increase exudate production.
Use cushions, repositioning, and mobility strategies to protect the wound.
6. Support Healing From the Inside
Nutrition, hydration, and overall health significantly influence wound healing outcomes.
Encourage protein-rich foods, vitamins, and adequate fluid intake.
7. Educate and Empower
People heal better when they understand their wound and the plan.
Provide simple explanations, photos (with consent), and clear instructions.
As Registered Nurses, we clinically review wounds and deliver ongoing care under NDIS Core Supports.
Our responsibilities include:
Wound assessment and management: monitoring healing progress and completing dressing changes
Skin integrity monitoring: early detection of issues and applying pressure injury prevention strategies
Education and care planning: guiding support workers and family members to provide safe daily care
Documentation and communication: maintaining accurate wound records and liaising with GPs and other health professionals
