Tap water as a wound cleansing agent in accident and emergency.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the bacterial cleanliness of tap water in a large accident and emergency (A&E) department for its possible use in the cleansing and irrigation of open traumatic wounds.


METHODS
Tap water samples were collected from different areas within the department and analysed on two separate occasions for coliforms, S aureus, clostridia, pseudomonas, and beta haemolytic streptococci.


RESULTS
Pathogenic bacteria were not isolated from the tap water samples within the A&E department.


CONCLUSIONS
Tap water of drinking quality can be used to irrigate open traumatic wounds.
Riyat
M S
MS
Department of Accident and Emergency, Leicester Royal Infirmary NHS Trust.
Quinton
D N
DN
D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D003013:Clostridium / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D004755:Enterobacteriaceae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D011549:Pseudomonas / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation; D014867:Water; D014871:Water Microbiology; D014881:Water Supply; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000628:therapy*
D014867:Water