As you learned in a previous post, papain based enzymatic debriders are no longer available for removal of nonviable tissue from wounds.  Several clinicians have told me that they are using “new debridement ointments.” After asking a few questions, I have learned that some manufacturers are marketing their barrier pastes (thick ointments usually used to protect skin from moisture or to heal skin injury caused by incontinence or moisture) as debriders.  If you have viewed video 5, your brain is already working this one out.  Let me help those of you who aren’t familiar with our education.  Part of debridement is adding moisture to soften the nonviable tissue.  The moisture itself does not debride, but it does help to make the macrophages’ jobs easier. A barrier ointment or paste is not a debrider.  It may help facilitate the debridement process along by adding a little moisture, but that‘s really all.  Remember in video 4 when we discuss autolytic debridement you learned that occlusive dressings not only call in moisture, but also increase the numbers of macrophages in the wound.  And macrophages actually secrete enzymes that debride nonviable tissue. 
It is so important to critically evaluate wound care products so that you can understand what they do and why they do it.  Then you will achieve the outcomes your patients deserve in a cost effective manner.