The introduction of antibiotics during the last century has been one of the single most important innovations in the field of wound management. Wounds that would previously have presented a life threatening risk to patients can now routinely be resolved with the use of an appropriate antibiotic preparation.
Antibiotics & Resistant Bacteria
However, as is widely acknowledged, the over-use of antibiotics in all fields of medicine, including wound management, has led to an increase in host resistance and a reduction of the effectiveness of these treatments. Infections such as MRSA and C-difficile are proving major challenges at the start of the 21st century, and the problem is only likely to increase over coming years.
To combat the problems of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, the search continues for ever more effective antibiotic treatments. Ceftaroline (TEFLARO®) from Forest Laboratories which has recently been approved by the FDA for complicated skin and skin structure infections. Other new antibiotics are in being developed all the time. The development of new antibiotics is an essential part of the ongoing battle against resistant hospital and community-acquired infections.(1)
We hope you have enjoyed this short series on antibiotics in wound care.
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References
- Teflaro product website. Available from http://www.teflaro.com/?WT.srch=1&guid=282077323.
- Landis SJ. Chronic Wound Infection and Antimicrobial Use. Adv Skin & Wound Care 2008; 21: 531–540.
- Bates-Jensen BM, Ovington LG. Management of exudate and infection. In: Sussman C and Bates-Jensen B. Wound Care: A Collaborative Practice Manual for Health Professionals. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2007.
That was very informative, Thanks, I have a question. If a patient has a stage 3 wound when intially accessed, and after debriedment the slough is removed, does this change the staging. The wound is 100% granulation tissue, and the wound is partial thickness wound? One of the Wound care Doctors I work with says it will always be a stage 3 when documenting on the wound. This does confuse me a bit. Help.