The economic and quality effects of wound cleansing with pure hypochlorous acid: evidence-based evaluation and clinical experience

Abstract

Background: Chronic or hard-to-heal wounds fail to proceed through an orderly and timely healing process, resulting in a lack of anatomic and functional integrity. Infection is a common driver of nonhealing processes; therefore, infection prevention and management are essential components to healing chronic wounds. Inexpensive specialized cleansers, such as pure hypochlorous acid (pHA), can be used to cleanse vulnerable wounds to reduce microbial burden, thereby reducing the risk of infection and significantly decreasing the likelihood of the patient developing a costly wound complication.

Objective: To report the findings of an expert panel composed of 10 health care professionals (HCPs) from diverse medical specialties convened to discuss the use of pHA in various care settings.

Methods: During the panel discussion, experienced HCPs presented specific case examples in which pHA was used, along with associated costs.

Results: A major theme of the panel discussion was the widespread benefit of pHA across various types of wounds and wound care settings. In addition, the patient cases illustrated a negligible economic impact of pHA coupled with positive effects on patient outcomes. This work did not include the development of a consensus statement.

Conclusion: Together, the information presented in the panel discussion supports pHA as a dominant strategy (more effective, less costly) compared with standard wound management practices in many treatment settings.