A new objective evaluation method for PU cleansing using a rapid bacteria counting system

To assess a new rapid bacterial counting device for evaluating wound cleansing effectiveness based on dielectrophoretic impedance measurement.

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.

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.

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.