Debridement Health Article

WHO PERFORMS THE PROCEDURE AND WHERE IS IT PERFORMED?

Debridement is performed by physicians such as plastic surgeons, dermatologists or surgeons, depending on the condition requiring the procedure. General physicians and surgeons are all trained in debridement techniques and they usually perform debridement procedures. Nurses specializing in wound care are prepared to perform conservative sharp wound debridement once they have satisfactorily completed didactic and clinical instruction in the sharp debridement procedure from an accredited agency, wound management specialty course, or an approved course in debridement.

Surgical debridement is usually performed on an outpatient basis or at the bedside. If the target tissue is deep or close to another organ, however, or if the patient is experiencing extreme pain, the procedure may be done in an operating room.

QUESTIONS TO ASK THE DOCTOR

• Why debride my wound?
• How long will it take to heal?
• Is there a risk of infection?
• Will there be a scar?
• Can I wash the wound?
• Will the procedure hurt?