Examining the literature on using tap water in wound cleansing.
Practitioners working in the community setting and whose caseload predominantly consists of treating chronic wounds often use tap water as a wound cleanser with the rationale that chronic wounds are already colonised with bacteria. However, there is some controversy, as discussed within this review, of the suitability of tap water as a cleansing agent for acute wounds.
Patel
Shila
S
Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust.
Beldon
Pauline
P
D005618:Fresh Water; D006801:Humans; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000379:methods*; D014881:Water Supply; D014946:Wound Infection; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000451:nursing*