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12.5 The advantages of a unit dose saline irrigation delivery device in the management of open wounds
Tere Sigler, PT, CWS, CLT-LANA; Harriett B. Loehne, PT, DPT, CWS, FCCWS; Archbold Center for Wound Management
In the current confusing state of regulatory and certifying agencies, it is difficult to know how to handle medications and solutions to comply with all rules. Saline may or may not be classified as a medication dependent on its packaging and intended use. A unit dose saline*, which is classified as a device, has the advantage of not falling under medication regulations. All solutions fall under National Patient Safety Goals labeling requirements once they are drawn up or transferred from their original containers. The ability to effectively use the product directly from its original packaging resolves any labeling issues. Unit dosing also has the advantage of supporting improved infection control practices by eliminating the use of single bottles of saline for multiple procedures. This unit dose saline provides 30 mL of sterile preservative-free normal saline in a single use container that irrigates at 6Ð8 PSI with a manual squeeze. While still providing a noncytotoxic wound cleanser with surfactant to our Emergency Department and Urgent Care Center for use when indicated, we have successfully converted our entire system of acute, subacute and rehab hospitals, nursing homes, and home health and hospice facilities to this unit dose saline device for performing basic wound irrigation.
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