acetic acid anyone?

Specialties Wound

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Specializes in LTC/hospital, home health (VNA).

Hello all. I have made NSS and Dakins for my patients in the past. And I was wondering if anyone has the "formula" for acetic acid for cleansing a wound - it was ordered for cleansing 3x/week before applying a wound VAC. I have heard varying opinions, and have my own, about acetic acid. But the doc was adamant. The only thing I found was 1 part white vinegar to 10-40 parts water...a little vague I think. So does anyone have the proper ratio for me? Thanks

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order is incomplete, need strength of acetic acid....to me that would be straight vinegar...good luck

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Specializes in LTC/hospital, home health (VNA).

i know..surgeon was not in..and in the past he has just said whatever you think... the order was written for "diluted vinegar solution" i guess i'll keep trying to clarify with the doc. thanks

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Wound Care.

Acetic acid is available premade from the pharmacy. I would not be mixing my own. It's a .25% solution.

While it's use is a bit controversial, we've had great results in wounds that are colonized with pseudomonas.

Found it...made by Baxter

http://www.ecomm.baxter.com/ecatalog/browseCatalog.do?lid=10001&hid=10001&cid=10016&key=4c9308615c2d041e33ebac65d14b5b&pid=459140

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Specializes in LTC/hospital, home health (VNA).

I found it online - white vinegar and sterile water 10-40 parts water to 1 vinegar. The doc just said "whatever, just make it dilute" (ggrrrrr) so we did the 40:1 water to vinegar. Oh well....so far it is the same...which to me is the normal VAC smell.

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