I&D vs. I&D

AngelfireRN, MSN, RN, APRN · Oct 27, 2011

I personally have only ever heard it used to describe Incision and Drainage. We always called the other "debridement". Be interesting to see what others have seen/heard.

kool-aide, RN · Oct 27, 2011

Thanks for your reply, Angel. Of course, unbeknown to me, the pt was actually a NP and here I go blabbering on about her "irrigation and debridement." lol I felt so silly afterwards but like I said, after looking it up, Incision and drainage and irrigation and debridement seem to be synonymous.. oh well! :uhoh3:

AngelfireRN, MSN, RN, APRN · Oct 27, 2011

I'm an NP, and I would have just smiled and nodded, lol. Don't sweat it, this is how everyone learns!

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Oct 27, 2011

Incision and debridement. Unless it's incised, it's near impossible to mechanically debride. Seen this with necrotic decubs- no drainage to be found- just "crust" and nasty purpley-black stuff.

Incision and drainage? Yeah- that, too. And have had that done-- but don't remember what they called it- LOL - just I & D. And with an infection, this sounds reasonable. :)

Irrigation and debridement??? Only if using sulfuric acid :eek: You'd need some serious psi to blow off dead tissue, which would cause more damage - and if it's just hanging there, you'd more likely just need a good sterile swabbing :)

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Oct 27, 2011

My kudos won't work for AngelfireRN- agree w/her-- learning is a process :)

vanburbian · Oct 27, 2011

6 of one, half dozen of the other?

They are opening some typically closed area up, and cleaning it.

Irrigation is almost a given, as is some sort of "incision", debridement and or drainage would depend more specifically on what it is exactly...a pus filled spinal cord incision? drain- a necrotic wound?- likely a little of both.

I will defer to an OR nurse.

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Oct 27, 2011

6 of one, half dozen of the other?
They are opening some typically closed area up, and cleaning it.
Irrigation is almost a given, as is some sort of "incision", debridement and or drainage would depend more specifically on what it is exactly...a pus filled spinal cord incision? drain- a necrotic wound?- likely a little of both.
I will defer to an OR nurse.

I've had patient's with tunneling wounds that were opened up on their own, so were irrigated- but then packed...

We also had our PT who would whirlpool a crusty necrotic foot, and then go after it with a blade- so not irrigated, and not drained- but sliced in small increments to get to healthy tissue.

There are a lot of combinations of what can be done; I & D shouldn't be written as just that- the doc should write the words out :)

merlee · Oct 27, 2011

Incision and drainage - - not the same as debridement, which is the mechanical removal of debris, hence debridement. I&D is used when the area is fluid-filled; could be purulent fluid.

Also, debridement is frequently done on a recurrent basis, as in wet-to-dry dressings, or repeated procedures to remove eschar from a burned area or decubitus.

I can see the confusion.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Oct 27, 2011

I&D Incision and drainage......I refered to them as a poke and pour.... :lol2: . Irrigation and debriedment is washing it out and clipping back dead skin to reveal healthy tissue.

No sweat....we all have been there and learned. :redbeathe

About once a year I am reminded to NEVER comment..."when are you due?"

Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP · Oct 27, 2011

I have always heard it to mean 'incision and drainage' in several settings - general surgery, community health (we did a TON of it), and OB.

But just because I've never heard it called something else doesn't mean the term doesn't exist. Ah well....live and learn. :)

ZippyGBR, BSN, RN · Oct 28, 2011

I personally have only ever heard it used to describe Incision and Drainage. We always called the other "debridement". Be interesting to see what others have seen/heard.

i'd agree with that

I+D is incision and Drainage

a debridement is a debridement