Abbreviations

This week we're going to focus on our first pressure ulcer related abbreviation.  There aren't many abbreviations directly related to pressure ulcers, but this week, the abbreviation is a common one frequently seen with pressure ulcers and the treatment of those ulcers.

This week's abbreviation is

I and D or  I&D

I and D stands for incision and drainage.

This abbreviation is actually the name of a procedure and its a common procedure to help reduce or eliminate sources of infection in a wound or other infected space.  The surgeon literally makes an incision and drains the area.  But like fish 'n chips, and rock 'n roll it generally sounds when spoken like the medical professional is saying I. N. D.

Examples 

Pt. s/p I & D of the R ORIF hip
    The patient has undergone an incision and drainage of the right hip surgical site where they had previously had an open reduction internal fixation. This can happen if the surgical wound is not healing properly and is usually enough to get the wound to heal properly.

Pt to undergo I and D of left buttock pressure ulcer on Thursday.
    Usually a patient undergoes a debridement of the pressure ulcer but from time to time there are pockets of pus that need an I and D to help fix them, and this is what this type of statement is referring to.  Sometimes you see the procedures listed as debridement with I and D if necessary.