Revised:  02/06/2004

CARE OF SUTURED LACERATIONS

UNLESS TOLD OTHERWISE BY YOUR PHYSICIAN

1. Keep wound and dressing clean. You may shower. Do not expose the wound to moisture for prolonged periods of time.
2. Wet Dressing: If the dressing gets wet, remove it, blot the wound dry with a sterile gauze pad, and reapply a clean, dry dressing, e.g., a sterile gauze pad.
3. Dressing Changes: Remove the dressing applied after two days and reapply a sterile dressing. Repeat this procedure every day until the stitches are removed, unless instructed otherwise.
4. Signs of Infection: If any of the following signs of infection appear, contact a physician immediately:
   1. Wound becomes red, swollen, tender or warm.
   2. Wound begins to drain or fester.
   3. Red streaks appear around the wound.
   4. Tender lumps appear in the groin or under the arm.
   5. Chills or fever occur.
5. Infection Check: Because of the nature of your injury, the possibility of infection is increased. Please return to be checked if instructed by your physician.
6. Stitch Removal: The physician suggests that the stitches be removed in about _____days. (per your physcian)
7. Tetanus Immunization: For your records, you/your child received the following:
   1. Tetanus Toxoid_____
   2. DT (Diptheria-Tetanus)_____
   3. DPT (Diptheria-Pertussis-Tetanus)_____
   4. Other_____