Potassium Permanganate soak
Potassium Permanganate is used in wound care for its antiseptic, antimicrobial and astringent properties. It is for external use only and can be fatal if ingested.
Potassium Permanganate tablets MUST be stored separately to other tablets to minimise risk of ingestion.
Equipment required
- Disposable apron and gloves
- Sterile jug
- Clinical waste container
- Bin liner - preferably white to enable visualisation of solution colour
Procedure
- Ensure Potassium Permanganate soak prescribed on EPR
- Ensure gloves are worn when handling tablets
- In line with manufacturer's instructions, drop one tablet into a sterile jug and fill with warm tap water
- Line the clinical waste container with the bin liner and fill with warm tap water
- Gradually add the dissolved tablet water to the clinical waste container to achieve a rose pink/purple colour - NOT DARK PURPLE.
- Immerse the limb to be treated in the solution for up to 10 minutes
- If the patient is unable to place their limb in the clinical waste container, soak gauze in the solution and wrap around the affected area - leave in place for 20-30 minutes.
- After treatment, dispose of the solution down the toilet or sluice. Flush the toilet twice.
- Disposal of the residual tablet and jug must be in clinical waste
- thoroughly clean hands after delivery or treatment and removal of protective clothing
A 1 in 1000 (0.01%) soak is used for blistering wounds or skin - this is approximately 1 tablet/4 L water.
Documentation
- Potassium Permanganate soak treatment care plan - available on the Tissue Viability Intranet site
- EPR wound assessment