Prevention of projectile and aerosol contamination during pulsatile lavage irrigation using a wound irrigation bag

Abstract

Pulsatile lavage is a high-pressure irrigation treatment commonly used in the debridement of wounds. The risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens and contaminants using high-pressure irrigation has been well documented in the literature. Projectile droplets and aerosolized fine droplets may form and spread, potentially contaminating the treatment facility and infecting personnel. A new device (Wound Irrigation Bag©, Pulse Care Medical LLC, North Andover, Mass) has been designed to decrease the dissemination of projectile and aerosolized particles. The wound irrigation bag (WIB) uses containment to decrease the amount of projectile and aerosolized pathogens spread during pulsatile lavage. This randomized prospective trial demonstrated that the WIB significantly decreased the amount of bacterial colony forming units disseminated during pulsatile lavage of infected wounds compared to standard wound irrigation techniques. The WIB is a useful new tool in the armamentarium of wound care that protects the debridement facility and the personnel who operate it by significantly reducing the dissemination of infectious particles.