Wound irrigation is defined as the steady flow of a fluid across an open wound for the removal of bacteria, necrotic tissue, and deeper debris. In a wound irrigation process, the surface pressure obtained at the wound is critical. Correct pressure determination ensures that the pressure at the wound due to an irrigation device is enough for the removal of bacteria and foreign debris, but not so high that it causes further tissue damage. Surface pressure measurements were performed for three irrigation devices, including a 500-ml bottle with four holes in the pouring cap, a 60-ml Monoject (TM) COVIDIEN (TM) syringe, and an IRIG-8 (TM) Wound Irrigation System from CENTURION (TM). The irrigation trials were performed by a total of 20 participants consisting of doctors and nurses using the three devices (60 trials) at the Carolina Medical Center Emergency Department, Charlotte, NC. The uncertainty in the pressure measurements was evaluated using both Monte Carlo and analytical approaches, and the results are reported. It is anticipated that this study will help to standardize irrigation pressure measurement within the medical community.
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