Irrigation Solution/Irrigation Supplies, Wound Sanitation & Syringes

What is Saline Solution?

Saline solution is a mixture of sodium chloride, also known as salt, and sterile water. It is available in different concentrations, but 0.9% sodium chloride in water is the most common. Saline solution is typically used for medical purposes, and is found in nasal irrigation sprays, IV (intravenous) drips, and contact lens solutions.

There is a wide variety of medical applications for saline solution, which range from wound care to rehydration. One of the most common treatments is in IV drips for those who are dehydrated from diarrhea or severe vomiting and are unable to eat or drink. In these situations, the fluid is mixed with sugars, such as glucose or dextrose. This helps reduce the amount of sodium circulating through the individual’s body and also helps prevent complications. Otherwise, side effects from too much sodium could occur, such as convulsions or an increase in heart rate.

Other medical purposes for saline solution include nasal irrigation and wound care, as well as rinsing and storing contact lenses. As a nasal irrigation, saline safely rinses out the inside of the nose and promotes nasal health. Those who suffer from chronic sinus problems, such as irritation and congestion in the nose, can benefit from periodic nasal irrigation. This assists in clearing congestion, mucus, pollen, and dander and can reduce post nasal drip which may irritate the throat. In addition to washing out the nasal passages, saline solution can also aid in cleaning out wounds.

What is a Piston Syringe?

A piston syringe is employed for evacuation and irrigation during medical procedures. The basic syringe has a blunt tip which can be used as-is or fitted with a cap. This design can also be utilized for activities such as tube feeding so it can be snapped onto the tube in order to deliver a nutrition bolus. Tips for a piston syringe are available in an assortment of sizes and are interchangeable for various applications.

Some syringe designs come with a loop on the plunger to enable a medical provider to work it with one hand while the other hand is free for different tasks. Additional syringes have a feature like a clip that will lock it once the plunger is pulled back to maintain suction. This is important when a medical professional is aspirating or evacuating a site and does not want to accidentally lose suction and force the liquid out of the syringe.

For irrigation, a piston syringe can be filled with saline, water or other materials, and expelled to gently clean a site. Medical professionals can control the amount of fluid and pressure with the plunger to flush out wounds to remove debris, dirt, and other undesirable components. Operating rooms and emergency rooms often rely on this syringe to clean wounds before the site is closed. Individuals performing wound care at home may also be taught how to work a piston syringe for certain applications.

A variety of tasks may be performed by changing the tip of the syringe. For example, some can be fitted with tips to lock onto other syringes and catheters. Others can be attached to trocars for procedures like liposuction. Trocars are short tubes with sharpened edges designed for insertion into the body. The piston syringe can carefully control the amount of material which is removed from the site, and the lock can keep the contents in the syringe.

In tube feeding, a caregiver or medical professional can open the cap on the tube and attach a piston syringe filled with a nutritional mixture. By gently depressing the plunger, the mixture is forced into the tube for the health of the individual. A piston syringe can also be employed to irrigate catheters and tubes with saline or heparin flushes to prevent clotting, and to keep them clean.

What is Wound Debridement?

Wound debridement may be performed in a number of ways with irrigation supplies. Basically, this common procedure takes off tissue which is diseased or dead and leaves behind healthy tissue that is likely to heal better in the absence of the bad tissue. The process ranges from very little actual manual tissue removal to significant tissue removal that can be extremely precise.

Precise wound debridement is needed immediately when a wound infection is severe. In this circumstance, it may turn into surgical wound debridement and may take place at the bedside for some individuals, or it may need to happen in an operating room. Using a variety of techniques along with irrigation solution kits, a doctor can precisely remove dead or infected tissue in order to allow healthy tissue a chance to heal. In some of these procedures, the wound may be stitched closed.

Rehabmart is pleased to offer a variety of superior quality irrigation supplies from experienced and credentialed medical vendors, which include McKesson Medical-Surgical and Medline.

Hulet Smith, OT
Rehabmart Co-Founder & CEO

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