Sterile water and sterile normal saline irrigation bottles are immediate use/single use only. Unused portions of irrigation fluid must be discarded, and open bottles with date/time markings must be discarded immediately. These procedures apply to all sizes of bottles used in all patient care areas, including procedural, inpatient, ambulatory and emergency departments. Please choose the appropriate size container to minimize waste and remember:
Enteral tube flushing: Tap water will be used for flushing, hydration (free water) and medication administration except for organ, bone marrow and stem cell transplant recipients, or with a provider order for sterile water when clinically appropriate.
Wound cleansing/irrigation: Most non-operative wounds can be irrigated or cleansed using tap water *(follow wound care orders). Sterile irrigation fluid should still be used for cleansing/irrigating wounds in these situations:
- Immunocompromised patients, including those with major burns
- When the wound is going to be sutured/stapled/glued closed
- Critically ill patients
- When irrigating exposed organs or other normally sterile structures
- Wound irrigation during an aseptic/sterile procedure
