Training family members in wound care before leaving Germany: a crucial step to ensure ongoing healing
Within the framework of advanced medical care in Germany, the hospital’s role does not end with surgery or discharge back to the patient’s home country. Increasingly, emphasis is placed on safe, well-prepared home care after discharge, especially in cases requiring long-term wound care or regular dressing changes.
In this context, training family members becomes a key component of the post-hospital care plan.
The aim is to enable a family member or caregiver to provide safe and effective daily wound care, and to prevent setbacks or complications, particularly in cases such as:
recent surgical wounds
chronic ulcers or pressure sores
open wounds after skin grafts or deep surgical interventions
partial-thickness burns or slowly healing wounds
This type of training is often referred to in Germany as:
“Schulung für Angehörige in der Wundversorgung” (training relatives in wound care)
These training sessions are usually organised and conducted by:
specialised nursing and wound management teams in the hospital (Wundmanagement-Team)
outpatient wound clinics (Ambulante Wundzentren)
home care services (Pflegedienst), if they have been involved early in discharge planning
In some cases, the treating surgeon or plastic surgeon is also directly involved, explaining the healing process and specific characteristics of the wound.
Typical training contents include:
Dressing changes (Verbandswechsel)
step-by-step demonstration of aseptic or low-germ techniques
correct use of gauze, adhesive strips, special dressings and prescribed ointments
Recognising signs of infection or wound deterioration
such as redness, swelling, heat, unusual or foul-smelling discharge
when to seek immediate medical attention
Cleaning the wound area
using appropriate solutions, such as normal saline (NaCl), or mild, non-irritating products as recommended by the doctor
Handling additional devices
e.g. drainage tubes, local catheter systems or negative pressure wound therapy (if present)
Storing wound-care materials at home
safe, dry and as clean as possible storage conditions for dressings and supplies
Planning follow-up care
scheduling medical check-ups
using telemedicine where available, for example by sending wound photos or videos to the care team in Germany
Most often, the main training session is held within the 48 hours prior to discharge (Entlassung) from hospital.
For complex wounds, training can be spread over two or three days, giving family members time to practise and ask questions.
Families frequently receive:
a written instruction leaflet (Merkblatt) with pictures, and/or
an educational video in one of the available languages, so they can review the steps at home.
If it becomes apparent that the family cannot provide wound care safely and independently, alternative options are considered, such as:
involving a certified home care service (Ambulanter Pflegedienst) to visit the patient regularly,
recommending an extended stay in a rehabilitation clinic (Reha) or similar facility until the wound is more stable and care is less complex.
International patients should coordinate with the hospital’s International Office / International Patients Department to ensure a translator or language support is available during training sessions.
Some hospitals issue a certificate confirming that the family has completed wound-care training; this can be translated and used in the home country, for example for doctors, insurers or care agencies.
It is often advisable to purchase suitable wound dressings and specialised products in Germany before travelling home, as equivalent materials may not be easily available or of the same quality in the patient’s country.
Wound care is not exclusively a medical or nursing task; it is a shared responsibility between the hospital and the family.
Through intensive, hands-on training in Germany, families gain the tools and knowledge they need to protect the patient, avoid complications and create a safe, healing environment at home – long after they have left the country where the treatment took place.
Our team of writers and editors strives to provide accurate information based on thorough research and consultation of multiple sources. Nevertheless, errors may occur or certain details may be incomplete or not yet definitively confirmed. Please regard the information in this article as an initial reference and always consult the relevant authorities and specialist bodies for binding and up-to-date advice.
