Is tap water a safe alternative to normal saline for wound irrigation in the community setting?
OBJECTIVE
This double-blind randomised controlled trial compared the effects of tap water and normal saline on the healing and infection rates of acute and chronic wounds.


METHODS
The trial was conducted in two metropolitan community health centres in New South Wales, Australia. Thirty-five patients with 49 acute or chronic wounds were randomised to receive wound irrigation with either normal saline or tap water.


RESULTS
Statistical analysis demonstrated there was no significant difference between the infection and healing rates in wounds irrigated with normal saline or tap water.


CONCLUSIONS
Although the small sample size is a limitation of this study, the researchers conclude that drinkable tap water appears to provide a safe alternative to normal saline for wound cleansing and may be preferred by some patients.
Griffiths
R D
RD
Faculty of Health, University of Western Sydney, Macarthur, Australia.
Fernandez
R S
RS
Ussia
C A
CA
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003152:Community Health Nursing / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017592:Skin Care / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014867:Water / Q000009:adverse effects; D014945:Wound Healing; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000451:nursing*
D014867:Water; D012965:Sodium Chloride