Does LET have antibacterial properties?

[newgrad1988]

I work in a pediatric office and we use LET (lidocaine, epinephrine and tetracaine) on wounds before we clean the wound and prepare it for stitches. I am curious whether or not the LET gel has any antibacterial properties in it. I question this because the syringe of LET we use is multi-use and it concerns me about possible cross-contamination from one patient to the next. Would love some thoughts and feedback about this.

Thank you!

[Guest219794]

Look up lidocaine, epinephrine and tetracaine.

[newgrad1988]

I have looked it up but haven't found much info on it. There have been a few studies, but not many results. I wanted to hear from experienced nurses and find out what you all know about it.

[missnurse89]

I am not very familiar with LET. Is the LET gel applied to a cotton tipped applicator?

[newgrad1988]

I'm sure it can and is probably a good idea, but I was taught to apply it directly to the wound. I've only used it a few times so I'm not 100% sure. Maybe I'm doing it wrong?

[missnurse89]

This is what I have found:

http://www.givereport.com/pain-management/wound-anesthesia-local-infiltration-and-topical-agents-assisting

I would imagine that as long as nothing is touching the end of the syringe or tube then it should be fine. The website I found is not something I would bank on because I'm not sure of it'd credibility but it'd the o my thing I could find. Just to be safe I would only use sterile cotton tip applicator or sterile gauze. You may also just ask your doctor about it and see what his opinion is.

[missnurse89]

Sometimes it's easier to "drip" the solution into the wounds as long as you are being very cautious to not cross contaminate. my doctor used to do that all the time with the gels that we would use on wounds and burns. That or use of sterile cotton tip applicator. If you do not drip it into the wounds (i know some doctors do that to minimize expense or just save a little time)then to ONLY use sterile materials to apply it to the wound because that's going to prevent anything from contaminating the syringe and you're not going to further contaminate the wound. I myself would always drip the product on the sterile material and then apply the sterile material to the wound. And I'm sure with the LET gel you probably use a specified amount based on the patient and wound. But really do ask your doctor what he thinks because he may have a preference and or specific reasoning for doing it that way.

[Guest219794]

To answer your question, no, none of those three meds are antibiotics.

And, the risks are probably similar to using the same tube of sunscreen on a bunch of kids.

Unless their cooties touch the tube, how can they cross contaminate?

[missnurse89]

To answer your question, no, none of those three meds are antibiotics.

And, the risks are probably similar to using the same tube of sunscreen on a bunch of kids.

Unless their cooties touch the tube, how can they cross contaminate?

I'm thinking she meant more of if there was a better or more correct way to apply this. Also not if they were antibiotics (I'm sure she is well aware that they are not) but if the syringe had some kind of bacteriostatic in it as it is used on open wounds only (risk of possible MRSA) and not intact skin. As long as the syringe tip doesn't touch the patient it should be fine. Sounds to me like she is developing great critical thinking skills. If I misunderstood the question please let me know :)

[newgrad1988]

Yes, that's exactly what I was meaning. I'm very well aware they aren't antibiotics... Thank you for the responses. Next time I need to use the LET I will make sure to ask for clarification on how the dr wants it done.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

Is the LET gel form or the straight liquid. I would be very careful you are using the same syringe from patient to patient and open wounds. I have always placed it on a cotton ball and applied it to the wound. In the case of burns or road rash I have poured what I need not a med cup and dripped on the patient...I don't take syringes patient to patient.

[missnurse89]

I always did use sterile materials to apply gels to wounds and did not prefer the drip technique just to minimize the risk of contamination. Every doctor has there own preference. I agree it's better to be safe than sorry.