II. Protocol: Irrigation
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Personal Protection Equipment
- Wear a mask with eye shield during irrigation
- Saline is as effective as antiseptics (e.g. 1% Betadine) for irrigation
- Antseptics should be avoided inside the wound due to tissue injury
- Tap water is as safe and effective as saline for irrigation (and more plentiful)
- Moderate pressure irrigation is the key
- Irrigation with syringe provides approximately 5-8 psi
- Irrigate with minimum of 250 to 500 cc, or 50-100 ml/cm wound length (use 1000 cc or more if contaminated)
- Normal Saline irrigation, compressible plastic bottles (250-500 cc) with plastic adapter OR
- Syringe 30-60 ml syringe (requires multiple refills) OR
- Placing wound under Running tap water
- Avoid irrigation with tissue destructive agents
- Hydrogen Peroxide (weak germacide)
- Betadine at stock concentration (9%)
- Always dilute Betadine (1:10)