Antibiotics have a vital role in wound management, both in the treatment and prophylaxis of infection. Depending on the circumstances, antibiotics may be administered systematically, topically, or via a combination of both routes.(1,2) Administering antibiotics topically generally allows a lower dose to be used, as the active component comes into direct contact with the microorganism…
The use of irrigation has long been known to reduce bacterial content. Whirlpool therapy, one of the oldest adjuvant forms of treatment for wounds still in use today,1,2 is a popular form of wound irrigation. However, this therapy is gradually being replaced by the technique known as pulsed lavage.2 LJ Haynes Study The move towards…
Wound care in today’s world consists of a complicated decision-making process that must take several entities into account: the patient/client and the practitioner must work together to decide on a dressing protocol that meets the needs of both. In addition, needs of the practitioner’s employer, whether this be a home care agency, a hospital or…
All skin has a certain resident level of bacteria and fungi known as microflora. This may be a difficult concept for patients familiar with advertisements for cleaners that ‘remove all germs’, but this resident microflora is an essential part of the body’s protection against pathogenic organisms. The presence of this low-level, non-replicating microbial presence is…
Previous articles in this series have considered the importance of a full patient examination and systems review as part of a wound assessment. While these elements are essential and provide a great deal of vital information, nothing can substitute for a thorough and detailed assessment of the wound itself. A careful wound examination is important…
As well as systemic and local factors, a number of the wound’s own inherent characteristics affect the rate of wound closure and wound healing. It is important to understand these factors so that they can be managed optimally as part of an overall strategy to help achieve wound closure. There are eight wound characteristics that…
Although honey has been used in wound management for centuries, and is mentioned in the Koran as a medicine for all disease, its popularity declined with the increasing availability of modern antibiotics, antiseptics and improved surgical techniques. However, with the continuing battle against wound infection and interest in the antimicrobial properties – honey in wound…
Odor in wounds can be distressing for both the patient and the caregiver who must care for them. Odor can cause the patient to feel embarrassed or ashamed and may lead them to withdraw from their daily civilities. Patients with foul-smelling wounds are often driven to cover up the odor using various methods which may…
It is sometimes easy to forget when we are caught up in complex treatment protocols, or when we are surrounded by paperwork, that the one thing that really matters in wound management is achieving wound closure. When a wound has closed properly, our work is done. Given the fundamental nature of wound closure, it is…
The healing of an acute wound follows a well-ordered pattern through a number of defined phases. Often, acute wounds heal themselves without coming close to a wound care specialist. Unfortunately, as all wound care practitioners know, a large proportion of wounds fail to follow this well-understood path and prove more difficult to heal. These are…
