Wound Care

278 Nurse to Nurse
Table 9–16 Advantages and Disadvantages of Whirlpool
Therapy
Facilitates sharp debridement Wound at risk of water born
due to softening, loosening, infection unless scrupulous attention
and hydrating necrotic tissue. to infection control. Discontinue
when debridement achieved. Jets of
the whirlpool should not be close
to or directed on to the wound.
Controls odor. Superhydration or maceration of
Selective. skin and wound with an alteration
in the skin pH.
Warmth may enhance cellular Not available in all care settings
activity and perfusion while in and may be costly.
the whirlpool.
Length of time for debridement Labor and time intensive. Water
dependent on amount and temperature must be selected
type of devitalized or necrotic based on patient’s condition and
tissue, usually 2 to 4 weeks. etiology of the wound.
Vigorous rinsing after each use of
the whirlpool is necessary to reduce
bacterial counts. Pseudomonas
aeruginosa is common. Patients and
health-care workers subjected to
aerosolization.
Patient may experience pain from
the whirlpool itself or simply the
action of being taken to the
whirlpool.
loosen, soften, and remove necrotic or devitalized tissue and
wound debris. There are some who subscribe to the hypothesis
that it also enhances local tissue perfusion (however, no
evidence of this has been published) (Tables 9–15 and 9–16).
Suggested orders
• 10 to 20 minutes QD to BID, water temperature 80° to 92°F
(26°–33°C) for tepid or 92° to 96°F (33.3°–35.5°C) for neutral.