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Tap water as a wound cleansing agent in accident and emergency
1Department of Accident and Emergency, Leicester Royal Infirmary NHS Trust.
Objective:
To investigate the bacterial cleanliness of tap water in a large accident and emergency (A&E) department for its possible use in the cleansing and irrigation of open traumatic wounds.
Methods:
Tap water samples were collected from different areas within the department and analysed on two separate occasions for coliforms, S aureus, clostridia, pseudomonas, and beta haemolytic streptococci.
Results:
Pathogenic bacteria were not isolated from the tap water samples within the A&E department.
Conclusions:
Tap water of drinking quality can be used to irrigate open traumatic wounds.
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