Version July 2025
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What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care for a health problem.
What is debridement? —
This is when a doctor removes dead or injured tissue from a wound to help it heal. This might be done at the doctor's office or in the operating room.
How do I care for myself at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You should also do the following:
●Keep the wound covered as it heals. This helps protect it from germs that could cause infection.
●Take all your medicines as instructed. Your doctor might suggest over-the-counter pain medicine, such as acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol) or ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin).
●Follow your doctor's instructions for when and how to change the wound dressing. If the wound needs to be "packed," your doctor or nurse will show you how to. It involves putting gauze or other special material into the wound. This packing material helps absorb drainage if the wound is wet, or helps provide moisture if the wound is dried out. It also helps keep it clean as it heals. The packing material is covered with a special bandage to keep the dressing in place and protect your clothing.
●Always wash your hands before and after touching the wound, dressing, packing, or bandage.
●Every time you change the dressing, look closely at the wound to make sure the area is healing. If there is a lot of drainage or more pus than before, tell your doctor. Look at the skin around the wound for signs of infection, like skin color changes or swelling.
●Follow your doctor's instructions about whether it is OK to get your wound wet or soak it in water.
●Avoid scratching the area. If you have a scab, do not pick it.
●If the wound was closed, you might have small strips of tape on your skin. Do not remove them. They help keep the wound closed. They will fall off on their own, or your doctor will carefully remove them. You can trim the ends of the strips that curl up if they bother you or catch on your clothing.
●Follow your doctor's instructions about whether to prop your painful body part on pillows. They might tell you to keep it above the level of your heart to help reduce pain and swelling.
●Avoid smoking. If you smoke, it can take longer for the wound to heal.
●Avoid activities or sports that could hurt the wound while it heals. Your doctor or nurse will tell you when you can do these things again.
What follow-up care do I need? —
Your doctor or nurse will tell you if you need to make a follow-up appointment. If so, make sure you know when and where to go.
You might need follow-up care if you have:
●A wound that is taking longer than expected to heal – These are called "chronic wounds." Sometimes, they need to be debrided several times over weeks to months. If the wound does not have enough blood flow to heal, you might need a separate procedure to fix this problem.
●An open wound – People with open wounds often see their doctor once every 1 to 2 weeks. If the wound is healing well, the time between visits might be longer. Your doctor will tell you if your wound can be re-closed with stitches. In some cases, you might need a separate surgery to cover and protect the wound. This can involve placement of a "skin graft" or other tissue to fill in the space. Your doctor will tell you if you will likely need this.
●Stitches on the outside of the wound or skin staples – These will need to be removed. Sometimes, stitches are placed under the skin, where you don't see them. These usually do not need to be removed. In most cases, they will absorb on their own.
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if:
●You have a low body temperature (some people get this instead of a fever).
●Your heartbeat or breathing is very fast.
●You have trouble breathing.
●You feel confused, lightheaded, or dizzy.
●Your skin feels cool or clammy.
●Your skin becomes flushed (red or purple, and hot to the touch).
●You are urinating much less than usual.
These things can be signs of a serious problem called "sepsis." This can happen when an infection travels through the whole body.
Call for advice if you have any other signs of an infection. These might include:
●Fever and chills
●The skin around the wound looking red, purple, or darker than usual
●Swelling, warmth, or increased pain around the wound
●Pus draining from the wound – Pus usually looks like thick fluid that is yellow, green, or gray.
●A bad smell coming from the wound
●Streaks on your skin going away from the wound, or streaks going up your arm or leg
●Healing that is taking longer than expected or seems to have stopped
You should also call if the wound:
●Starts to hurt more
●Was closed with stitches, staples, or glue, and it opens back up
Patient education: Debridement of a wound or burn (The Basics)
Patient education: Stitches and staples (The Basics)
Patient education: Removing stitches (The Basics)
Patient education: Removing staples (The Basics)
Patient education: Lowering the risk of a surgical site infection (The Basics)
Patient education: Surgical site infection (The Basics)
Patient education: Caring for an open surgical wound (The Basics)
Patient education: Caring for a closed surgical wound (The Basics)
Patient education: How to change a dressing (The Basics)
Patient education: Sepsis in adults (The Basics)
