Homemade Saline?

[arlingtonnurse]

We have recently adopted a policy where we no longer will provide supplies like saline to wound care patients. We are supposed to have them make their own. Is this common? It seems like something a homebound pt would have trouble with. Have you all found this is something you ask of patients and they are able to do safely? Thanks

[limaRN, BSN, RN]

Shouldn't you be using sterile saline to clean wounds? This would not be possible to make at home. I don't work home health but this policy doesn't seem to make any sense.

[SCPHN69]

I have heard of agencies having patients make their own saline, so it is possible. However, I would question the validity of NEVER providing saline for patients - that's what they have insurance/Medicare for.

And, just an FYI, it is VERY uncommon to use sterile water for wound care.

[nurse42long, RN]

Medicare and some insurances will pay for Home Health wound care supplies, but in most states Medicaid will not. If patients can't afford wound care supplies, we have to sometimes "MacGyver" it. Usually wound care in the home is aseptic not sterile. We have used one teaspoon of non-iodionized salt to one cup water for homemade saline. If the water can be boiled for several minutes prior that is great but not all patients have access or ability to cooking. Sometimes Home Health can be primitive but we do the best we can with what we have.

[Detroitrn59]

We have printed recipes for those patients whose insurance does not cover those types of supplies. Ns, dakins, acetic acid, etc.

[MrChicagoRN, RN]

Some contact lense solutions are only NS, and pretty cheap, but I'd be concerned about having to make your own

[gobux90]

We have printed recipes for those patients whose insurance does not cover those types of supplies. Ns, dakins, acetic acid, etc.

Can you share those recipes??