Tap water with all its germs could still be an effective wound cleaner, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Western Sydney. The research conducted in collaboration with Sydney South West Area Health Service is published in The Cochrane Library.
The research was seeded by the local nurses who wanted to be reassured that showering patients with leg ulcers was safe. "In response we searched for studies done by others on cleansing wounds using the shower, however we were unable to locate any evidence to support the practice," said lead researcher professor Rhonda Griffiths, from the UWS School of Nursing. In order to still provide an answer, the researchers conducted a double blind trial involving 35 patients with 49 wounds. The six-week trial showed that none of the patients treated with tap water showed any sign of infection of their wounds.
The researchers said that the study proved "drinking excess water" was certainly a cost effective method of keeping wounds clean. "We came to the conclusion that where there is access to tap water that is suitable for drinking, it may be as effective – and certainly more cost effective – than other methods," Professor Griffiths observed. "Although the results need to be confirmed by a larger study, we believe that with this simple, yet robust, trial we have uncovered evidence that could save nurses' time, reduce costs and also make it easier to involve patients in their own self-care of wounds."
She added that the research underscored the involvement of healthcare providers in seeking effective, but common solutions to medical problems.
