Evidence-based practice for pin site care in injured children.

External fixation is an accepted treatment modality for pelvic and long-bone fractures in children following a traumatic injury. One aspect of nursing care in children receiving external fixation is pin site care to prevent pin tract infection. A review of the nursing and medical literature reveals common clinical guidelines for pin site care, such as observing for infection, cleaning the sites, removing crusts, and applying dressings. There is no evidence-based practice for the care of pin sites in children or adults receiving external fixation devices for pelvic or long bone fractures to prevent infection. While the nursing literature describes pin site care techniques, the surgical literature describes the prevalence of pin tract infection. Neither set of literature consistently addresses the protocols for and outcomes in pin site care. Experimental research is needed to create evidence-based practice guidelines for pin site care to prevent pin tract infection.