Where Gauze Sponges Are Used

by: C.J.Lang
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Gauze sponges are looked at as hospital supplies, medical supplies, podiatry supplies, vet supplies and orthopedic supplies. They are disposable medical supplies used routinely in hospitals and medical offices around the globe. The different sizes include 2x2, 3x3, and 4x4. Health Care management uses sponges to sterilize wounds. The materials used in the manufacturing of gauze sponges for medical purposes include cotton and non-woven materials. In addition to its many plies, sizes, and fabrics, gauze sponges can also be sterile and non-sterile.

Gauze Sponge Definitions

Gauze sponges are a thin, see through fabric with a loose, open weave. It does not stick to wounds as other fabrics would, which makes it usage widespread in treating lacerations and burns. Gauze can be used with antimicrobials, petroleum, and saline. In wound care, frequent changes are necessisary because gauze has limited moisture properties and retention, and there is little protection from contamination. When removal of a dried dressing, there is a minimal risk of wound damage to the healing skin surrounding the wound. Gauze should be changed two to three times a day.

Gauze Sponge Usage

Orthopedic Surgery: To no one's surprise, because orthopedic surgeons are always opening and closing wounds, they go through a enormous quantity of sponges in all surgery they perform. Current procedures for tracking gauze sponges during surgical procedures involve a baseline count before the actual surgery begins, a second count before the surgeon begins sewing up the incision and a final count before he or she closes the skin. However, many hospitals have a variety of supplemental tracking methods. For instance, at one cited hospital all high-risk patients, such as surgeries lasting more than 10 hours or severe emergencies, received an X-ray before leaving the operating room.

Podiatrists: They use cotton gauze sponges, for example, to treat the area where they just removed an ingrown toenail. Podiatrists know that since it does not stick, when the patient takes it off a day later the wound won't start bleeding again.

Sunburns: The lactic acids and fats in milk are known to have calming qualities for sunburned skin. Soak a gauze sponge in cool whole milk, and dab gently onto the burned skin. Continue doing this for about 20 minutes, and then follow by rinsing with cool water. It is important to use whole milk because of the milk's fat content.

About the Author

Author C.J. Lang can help find wholesale medical supplies. For additional information on choosing Gauze Sponges, or other health related ideas, please check out www.Med101Store.com.  

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