Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/1541321
13 EXECUTIVE BRIEFING 2 EXECUTIVE BRIEFING "I could have switched to saline, which is a more cost- effective solution and readily available. But I wanted something more for my patients," Dr. Chen said. When she moved from a povidone-iodine-based irrigation to Irrisept, a low-concentration CHG-based wound irrigation, it was because of extensive research, including her own. "I like seeing evidence before I use something on my patients," she said. "The data [for Irrisept/chlorhexidine] is pretty compelling." The combination of bench-top testing, in vivo testing and independent testing providing real-world evidence was enough to convince her to switch. Dr. Weber applied the same evidence-based approach across all aspects of wound care, from closure techniques to dressing selection, illustrating a consistent approach grounded in research and real-world outcomes. This rigor also guided his selection of Irrisept. He values the consistency it brings to his practice, eliminating the need to select different irrigation solutions in different cases. "For me, it's about having a product that's safe, that's non- toxic, that has the data to support it, and I can streamline — use it in every case for the day." Always considering costs, but not at the expense of the patient Cost is always a key consideration, yet the full cost of wound management includes the price of products, as well as the time in the OR; the time of the clinicians and pharmacy; and the costs incurred if a patient experiences complications. "The cost of everything is a consideration," Dr. Karpman said. Products and processes that require additional time, money or resources may be cost-prohibitive to incorporate into the protocol. Surgeons in the OR need solutions that are fast and easy to use and don't have a significant impact on the clinical workload. In the case of antibiotic irrigation, coordination with the hospital pharmacy, delivery of the antibiotics to nurses and sometimes having to wait for more to be brought up and mixed if the supply doesn't last, adds a lot of time and inconvenience. For these three physicians, patient safety remains the foremost concern. In line with the World Health Organization's guidance, they find the evidence supporting continued antibiotic irrigation unconvincing. "The World Health Organization recommends against using any kind of antibiotic irrigation during wound irrigation, because it's been shown not to be effective, and we have an antibiotic resistance problem in this world," Dr. Karpman said. His global perspective and concerns about long-term patient safety have led him to re-evaluate both products and protocols, concluding that an irrigation containing an antimicrobial as a preservative in the solution, like Irrisept, represents a safer and more evidence-aligned approach. Safety, evidence and efficiency in wound management Clinical protocol decisions consistently come down to weighing risk against reward. Complications are not only costly but also dangerous and complex to manage. All three surgeons interviewed emphasized the importance of relying on evidence that demonstrates safety and drives improved outcomes. While a universal gold standard for wound management has yet to be established, their perspectives highlight best practices focused on patient optimization, evidence-based product selection, operational efficiency, safety, and thoughtful cost management. The convincing evidence for Irrisept Irrisept Antimicrobial Wound Lavage delivers a critical balance, aligning with both clinical and economic imperatives. Providing broad-spectrum antimicrobial effectiveness as a preservative in the bottled solution, ease of use, safety, and operational efficiencies that physicians trust, it has become a key part of modern wound care protocols. Irrisept contains 0.05% Chlorhexidine Gluconate in 99.95% Sterile Water for Irrigation, USP. It is a single use, self-contained wound lavage that delivers low pressure irrigation. Irrisept is indicated for mechanical cleansing and removal of debris, dirt, and foreign materials, including microorganisms from wounds.