Saturday, October 22, 2022: 1245-1330
The use of hypochlorous acid based cleanser in the management of burn wounds: clinical practice follows the science.

Location: Convention Hall C2B-C3-C4

Speakers

Synopsis

Wound cleansing is the first and highly critical step on the way to ideal wound bed preparation. It is also a step that is recommended by consensus guidelines during dressing changes to allow the constant removal of undesirable materials from the healing wound.

Hypochlorous acid, a molecule native to the human immune system and thus evolutionarily designed to be maximally lethal to germs but minimally cytotoxic, can now be made available in shelf-stable packages. Such a cleanser is evidence-based, though much research continues. This specific type of cleanser has been used successfully both in USA and Canada.

Experienced burn clinicians will present their experience with the product during regular use, its benefits, and its limitations.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the need for wound cleansing, particularly in burns, where necrotic tissue, germs (planktonic and biofilm) and fear of infection is ever-present.
• Understand that cleansers need antimicrobial preservatives for safe use and storage
• Understand the non-cytotoxic yet effective antimicrobial preservative nature of hypochlorous acid compared with more cytotoxic preservatives.
• Understand the concept of a Hypochlorous Acid Preserved Wound Cleanser (HAPWOC).
• Understand the concept of the Biological Safety Index for products that contain antimicrobial (preservative) ingredients.
• Understand practical protocols for using HAPWOC in the burn environment.
• Examine the patient quality of life issues when HAPWOC is used on a painful burn wound.