Pin Site Care

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Pin Site Care

Pin Site Care

First Dressing Change
If possible, the theatre dressings are left intact for 7 days’ post op. Prior to removing theatre dressings, the frame is thoroughly cleaned, (the rings, rods, and attachments) using clean water and soap. When the frame is clean and dry, the theatre dressings are gently removed and disposed of safely. Using an aseptic technique, the wounds are cleaned and redressed as appropriate to their stage of healing.

Pin Site Care, the first week… Whilst you are in the hospital environment, nursing and surgical staff will adopt universal precautions and use an aseptic technique when dealing with your pin sites. For the first few days, pin site care is undertaken by the ward nursing staff. During this time, the nurse will begin to teach you or your carer or parent to take on this role. Until the wounds have healed, you may find it more comfortable to undertake pin care whilst sitting on your hospital bed using a ward dressing trolley.

Pin Site Care
Pin sites may be cleaned using either non –shedding sterile gauze or compact sterile cotton buds.
Each pin site is inspected every day and cleaned every 7 days, earlier if the dressing becomes saturated.

If pin sites are clean and healthy, no further care is required.

If crusting is seen at the pin site this should be removed.

Using a cotton bud or piece of gauze moistened with alcoholic chlorhexidine to gently clean the site or with sterile saline if contraindicated.
Do not use the same cotton bud (or piece of gauze) on another pin site, as cross-infection from an infected pin site may occur.

Natural scabs as a result of wires or pins tearing through the patients’ skin should be left undisturbed.
These may be seen when a patient is adjusting the frame to correct a deformity or when limb lengthening. The scabs will eventually fall off leaving these small tract marks. If pin sites do not ooze, pin sites should remain dressed throughout the entirety of treatment.

Oozing pin sites should have a non-adherent, non-shedding key-holed dressing applied to prevent the oozing fluid from dripping onto other pin sites. The dressing is held in place using the rubber bung.

Ensure the bung holds the dressing securely but without applying too much pressure on the underlying skin.

When wounds have healed…
Most patients are able to use the shower to clean the wounds and pin sites by day 7 post op. Usually by this time the surgical wounds have healed.

If unsure, please ask the Trauma Team for advice.

In the shower…
If dressings are stuck, leave them until you have finished showering, by which time the dressings should be adequately soaked and easy to remove. You may need some assistance to sit comfortably under the shower.

Firstly shower yourself as usual, using your preferred shampoo, soaps or gels. (Try to use non-perfumed products)

When finished, dry yourself and concentrate on showering the frame and pin sites. Cotton buds or gauze may be used in the shower for the more intricate pin care.

Or you may find it more comfortable returning to your bed to continue the pin care.

Bathing the frame is allowed, but we ask you to shower the frame and pin sites after the bath to remove any soaps and dirty water. We do not encourage baths whilst in the hospital, only when at your own home.

This guidance may be adjusted if you have a wound; for example an open fracture, a fasciotomy wound, or if you have had a skin graft the nurse will advise you to only follow the advice where it is appropriate to do so.

Contact details

If you have any specific concerns that you feel have not been answered and need explaining, please contact the following.

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
Trauma and Orthopaedic Ward
Phone: 01905 733589

Alexandra Hospital
Ward 16 Staff (phone 01527 512104)

Kidderminster Treatment Centre   
Ward Nursing Staff (phone 01562 512356)

Other information
The following internet websites contain information that you may find useful.

If your symptoms or condition worsens, or if you are concerned about anything, please call your GP, 111, or 999.

Patient Experience
We know that being admitted to hospital can be a difficult and unsettling time for you and your loved ones. If you have any questions or concerns, please do speak with a member of staff on the ward or in the relevant department who will do their best to answer your questions and reassure you. 

Feedback
Feedback is really important and useful to us – it can tell us where we are working well and where improvements can be made. There are lots of ways you can share your experience with us including completing our Friends and Family Test – cards are available and can be posted on all wards, departments and clinics at our hospitals. We value your comments and feedback and thank you for taking the time to share this with us.

Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
If you have any concerns or questions about your care, we advise you to talk with the nurse in charge or the department manager in the first instance as they are best placed to answer any questions or resolve concerns quickly. If the relevant member of staff is unable to help resolve your concern, you can contact the PALS Team. We offer informal help, advice or support about any aspect of hospital services & experiences.

Our PALS team will liaise with the various departments in our hospitals on your behalf, if you feel unable to do so, to resolve your problems and where appropriate refer to outside help.

If you are still unhappy you can contact the Complaints Department, who can investigate your concerns. You can make a complaint orally, electronically or in writing and we can advise and guide you through the complaints procedure.

How to contact PALS:
Telephone Patient Services: 0300 123 1732 or via email at: wah-tr.PALS@nhs.net

Opening times:
The PALS telephone lines are open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 4.00pm. Please be aware that you may need to leave a voicemail message, but we aim to return your call within one working day.

If you are unable to understand this leaflet, please communicate with a member of staff.  

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