PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Riyat, M S
AU  - Quinton, D N
TI  - Tap water as a wound cleansing agent in accident and emergency.
AID  - 10.1136/emj.14.3.165
DP  - 1997 May 01
TA  - Journal of Accident & Emergency Medicine
PG  - 165--166
VI  - 14
IP  - 3
4099  - http://emj.bmj.com/content/14/3/165.short
4100  - http://emj.bmj.com/content/14/3/165.full
SO  - Arch Emerg Med1997 May 01; 14
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the bacterial cleanliness of tap water in a large accident and emergency (A&E) department for its possible use in the cleansing and irrigation of open traumatic wounds. METHODS: Tap water samples were collected from different areas within the department and analysed on two separate occasions for coliforms, S aureus, clostridia, pseudomonas, and beta haemolytic streptococci. RESULTS: Pathogenic bacteria were not isolated from the tap water samples within the A&E department. CONCLUSIONS: Tap water of drinking quality can be used to irrigate open traumatic wounds.