Whirlpool & Wounds

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Whirlpool & Wounds - September 23, 2002 10:53:00 AM

ruralPT

Posts: 31
Joined: August 2, 2000
From: Concordia, KS USA
Status: offline

I have a Dr. here who is on a kick for daily whirlpools for wounds. One is an open wound on the knee s/p I&D for staph infection. He has yellow exudate along the superior and middle of wound and is beefy red along the medial, inferior, and lateral edges of wound. He is diabetic and was recently hospitalized with cellulits.

The second I just received the orders for, but have not seen. It is for an infected ulcer with cellulits. He ordered daily whirlpool and dressing changes and to treat the wound with a diluted H2O2 and betadine solution.

I have very limited wound experience. Does this sound O.K.?? I didn't think whirlpools were used much anymore for wounds.

Any suggestions would be helpful!!

Thanks!

Post #: 1

Re: Whirlpool & Wounds - September 24, 2002 9:16:00 AM

David Adamczyk

Posts: 302
Joined: March 14, 1999
From: Cleveland
Status: offline

Regarding the use of whirlpool for wound healing - the following link provides good basic information on this topic: [URL=http://www.medicaledu.com/whirlpoo.htm]http://www.medicaledu.com/whirlpoo.htm[/URL]

You must be very cautious about the continued use of topical microbials in wounds. Try a medline search and general internet search on this topic. I invite others with more extensive wound care experience to share their experience in this area.

[URL=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=3970664&dopt=Abstract]http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=3970664&dopt=Abstract[/URL]

[This message has been edited by David Adamczyk (edited September 24, 2002).]

(in reply to ruralPT)

Post #: 2

Re: Whirlpool & Wounds - September 26, 2002 6:06:00 AM

Ron

Posts: 105
Joined: January 8, 2001
Status: offline

You are correct.
Wound care has evolved a great deal, and with it the decrease in use of Wlp and topical antimicrobials. Occlusive, non occlusive and various other dressings now take the place of the old WLP/betadine BID.
Wlp has its place but our practice limits it to only those wounds that require cleansing prior to active and defined debridement. Betadine is actually contraindicated in most or all wound care. Perhaps you could post your location and someone close by you with wound care background could get you started in the right direction. You will need literature and studies to help change the MD's mindset. The information is out there and well substanciated. Good Luck

(in reply to ruralPT)

Post #: 3

Re: Whirlpool & Wounds - September 26, 2002 6:19:00 AM

ruralPT

Posts: 31
Joined: August 2, 2000
From: Concordia, KS USA
Status: offline

Thanks! I am in north central Kansas (Concordia). This Dr. is usually not open to any suggestions, so literature would be a MUST. I will check Medline.

(in reply to ruralPT)

Post #: 4