Compression wraps/bandages

Do you need to be certified or just demonstrate competency when applying compression bandages.

What is Best Practice?

I have received info that demonstration of competency is BP and yet been also told you need to be certified?

Its a dilemma that I have found no answer to, please provide your expertise and feedback. Thank You!

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Permalink Reply by WoundTalk on February 22, 2011 at 4:47am

You do not need to be wound care certified to apply compression, however I HIGHLY recommend that only wound care certified practitioners perform this procedure. Certification in wound care ensures that the clinician possess the basic knowledge about compression therapy which will not only protect the patient but also protect the organization from potential litigation. There are many things that need to be considered when applying compression therapy (i.e. arterial circulation, ABI readings, co-morbidities such as CHF, optimal level of compression, wrapping technique, etc.) If compression is applied without considering all of these things, everyone involved is at risk! I have witnessed several instances when compression was applied without considering these things and the results were disastrous!