(CS-062) The use of an optimal formulation to deliver pure and hypochlorous acid in a highly concentrated antimicrobial wound gel* form was tested in real world experience in a busy wound center

Friday, April 10, 2026

Sandra Corsi, MSN, APRN, AGPCNP-BC, CWS, DWC – Nurse Practitioner, Riverside Advanced Wound Care Center; Aurielle Ballard, BSN, RN – Clinical Coordinator, Riverside Advanced Wound Care Center

Introduction: Pure hypochlorous acid as a wound cleanser is highly evidence-based, and effective in bacterial control/pH control of wounds. While a liquid cleanser that contains pure HOCl has an immediate effect, a gel form may allow for a more prolonged germ removal and slough removal (autolytic) action and may be synergistic with the HOCl based liquid cleanser. In our busy wound center, we selected wounds that may benefit from the use of HOCl products, cleansing them first with pure HOCl solution, followed by the application of a HOCl based antimicrobial wound gel. We report the results from a wide variety of wounds.

Methods:

We treated, over a planned period of 16 weeks, currently with 27 wounds in 25 patients. The distribution of wound types is shown, but contains venous, diabetic, pressure injuries, post-surgical, trauma, and atypical ulcers over a variety of body locations.

We utilized various clinically indicated secondary dressings with the initial application of the gel applied about 5 mm thick directly to the ulcer bed. Reapplication and dressing changes continued by the clinicians/patients/families at differing time frames as instructed

Results: We report a high degree of patient tolerance and ease of application. We found that the secondary dressings of the foam variety were most suitable. Slough removal was improved and, in some early cases, effective enough to transition to a collagen product. Wound healing progress was reported in most patients; we feel daily reapplication and dressing changes are generally most effective. However, with the cost of dressing supplies and availability for some patients to have assisted care application, most dressings were done every 2-3 days. We report 1 number of adverse events related to the gel that created maceration. This was adjusted with secondary dressing choices.

Discussion: Formal studies on the gel formulation may be indicated, but our positive real-life experience allows us to add this to our formulary. This pure HOCl based antimicrobial wound gel regime used as a primary dressing following use of the HOCl liquid cleanser as the first cleaning step allows increased contact and effectiveness, killing and debriding power for increased efficacy of the wound healing trajectory.