Assessment of fluid dispersion during use of a hydrodebridement system: implications for infection prevention and...

Hydrodebridement is increasingly used for chronic wound management because of its clinical efficacy and patient tolerance. However, concerns remain regarding environmental contamination and occupational exposure during bedside procedures. Evidence specifically quantifying droplet projection and environmental dispersion associated with the Jetox® oxygen-saline hydrodebridement system is scarce.

An experimental study was conducted using a fluorescent simulated wound model applied to a manikin. Jetox® hydrodebridement was performed at oxygen flow rates of 6, 9 and 12 L/min, with three repetitions per setting. Contamination of personal protective equipment (PPE) and predefined environmental zones was assessed under ultraviolet light. Droplet counts, maximal projection distances and correlations with flow rate were analysed.

Jetox® consistently generated macroscopic droplet projections, with intensity increasing at higher oxygen flow rates. Contamination of gloves, gowns and masks showed strong positive correlations with flow (r² values ranged from 0.93 to 0.95), whereas no visible projections were detected on goggles. Environmental contamination was heterogeneous and predominantly concentrated around the bed, floor and patient's head, particularly at higher flow rates, while several distant surfaces remained unaffected. Projection distances increased with flow and varied according to operator positioning.

Jetox® hydrodebridement should be regarded as a splash-generating procedure. Strict adherence to infection prevention and control measures (including appropriate PPE, environmental organisation, protective bed coverings and systematic postprocedure cleaning) is essential. Further studies incorporating airborne particle assessment and real-world clinical conditions are required to refine evidence-based safe-practice recommendations.