How to Measure the Depth of a Wound

A wound's depth is defined as the distance from the skin's surface to the bottom of the wound. Initially, measurements of a wound's depth can be used as a means of evaluating the severity of the wound. As healing progresses, however, the measuring of a wound's depth serves as way of measuring the amount of healing that has taken place and of evaluating the success of a particular course of treatment. According to the book "Wound Care: A Collaborative Practice Manual," the best method for measuring these changes is "the clock method," described below.

Things You'll Need

• Gloves
• Disposable infectious waste bag
• Saline
• Syringe with 18-guage needle
• Swab
• Flexible foam-tipped device, such as a cotton swab
• Wound measurement ruler
• Pencil
• Clock
• Fresh dressing
• Container for sharp medical waste

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Instructions

• 1

  Position the patient so that the wound is visible and accessible and the patient is comfortable.

• 2

  Put on gloves and remove the dressing over the wound, which should be placed in the disposable infectious waste bag.

• 3

  Clean the wound thoroughly with the saline and the 18-gauge needle.

• 4

  Once the wound is clean and all obstructive material has been cleared away, begin by finding the deepest spot in the wound. This spot may change upon subsequent measurements as the wound begins to fill in.

• 5

  Insert the flexible device into the wound, making sure it is lined up perpendicular to the edge of the wound.

• 6

  Secure this device in place against the wound edge with your fingers.

• 7

  Line up the wound measurement ruler along the device and record the measurement.

• 8

  Repeat this procedure for an additional four designated spots along different sides of the wound: at the 12:00, 3:00, 6:00 and 9:00 positions.

• 9

  Dispose of the swab and the measurement ruler in the infectious waste bag; dispose of the syringe and the saline in the sharp medical waste bag.

• 10

  Apply a fresh dressing to the wound.