title: A new objective evaluation method for PU cleansing using a rapid bacteria counting system.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess a new rapid bacterial counting device for evaluating wound cleansing effectiveness based on dielectrophoretic impedance measurement.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three patients with pressure ulcers with undermining were recruited, and pressure ulcer severity assessed using the DESIGN-R tool. The number of bacteria was measured using this new apparatus both before and after wound cleansing, performed by wound, ostomy, and continence nurses using apH-balanced cleanser for periwound skin and with normal saline for the wound bed and undermining area.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed that wound cleansing effectively reduced bacterial counts on the periwound skin, wound bed and undermined site, with a median number of bacteria of 3.6×106 CFU/ml before cleansing, which decreased to 1.1×106 CFU/ml after cleansing.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This pilot study result suggests the usefulness of this new device for assessing the effectiveness of wound cleansing on reduction of bacterial number. Standardisation of wound cleansing technique may be achieved by hands-on education using this apparatus at bedside.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gerontological Nursing and Wound Care Management, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nakagami
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yoshida
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Matsumoto
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Koyano
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sugama
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sanada
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D058491:Bacterial Load / Q000295:instrumentation*; D058266:Dielectric Spectroscopy; D004203:Disinfection / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000628:therapy*; D012015:Reference Standards