After observing a wound and drainage, what is the first action you should take?

The first action you should take after observing a wound and drainage is to remove your gloves, put them into the plastic bag, and decontaminate your hands. This step is crucial for maintaining proper infection control standards. After assessing the wound and any drainage, your gloves may have come into contact with potentially infectious material. Therefore, safely disposing of the gloves prevents the spread of contaminants, and decontaminating your hands ensures that the infection control measures are upheld before proceeding with any further care tasks, such as dressing changes.

By prioritizing hand hygiene, you establish a safe environment for subsequent procedures or assessments, ultimately protecting both yourself and the patient from potential infection. Following this initial step, you can then don clean or sterile gloves and perform appropriate wound care practices without risking cross-contamination.