Efficacy of a Disposable Hydrodebridement System for debridement of Burn Wounds: A Retrospective Case Series

Adeqaute wound bed preparation is an important first step in the wound healing process. Debridement is a necessary component of this processs. It is utilized to remove necrotic tissue thus reducing bioburden located within the wound bed and to stimulate healthy granulation tissue formation.  There are many ways  that debridement can be performed, most of which have aspects that make it unacceptable for nursing staff and/or patients being treated in the outpatient setting.  Many debridement strategies cause pain and anxiety for the patient.  It may also have an impact on clinical nursing scope of practice.  Equipment logistics and cost to the facility also play a vital role on debridement strategy selection.

In May 2013, our Outpatient Wound Clinic adopted the use of a fully disposable hydrodebridement system as part of our treatment protocol for debridement of burn wounds.  Through literature review, we found that this type of wound debridement is underutilized by nurses within the wound care community.

The collected data from our Retrospective Case Series was obtained from treatment documentation and photographs of approximately 30 individuals ranging in ages from 16 months to 80 years of age.  All patients included in this study were referred to our clinic for burn wound care/treatment.  Our study is designed to report our experience on the effectiveness of a hydrodebridement system.  It proved to be a treatment option for the removal of non-viable tissue and the stimulation of healthy granulation tissue.  Through its simplicity of use, cost effectiveness, disposability of equipment and the patient reporting of little or no pain during the procedure, the hydrodebridement system has played, and continues to play, a vital role in optimizing positive wound healing outcomes for the burn patient being treated in our outpatient clinical setting.