An alternative topical option to antimicrobials
Microbial resistance is an issue of concern for those of us who care for individuals who experience hard-to-heal wounds. The principles of wound bed preparation and biofilm based wound intervention direct us towards adequate tissue debridement and targeted use of antimicrobials. Rippon et al have recently published a sponsored article where the concept of physical bacterial removal rather than bacterial kill is proposed as an alternative means of reducing a wound’s microbial burden. The use of sequestration into super absorbent polymers, electrostatic charged particles to immobilise bacteria and hydrophobic contact layer dressings may provide a non-antimicrobial mechanism which thereby reduces the likelihood of a wound developing resistance through its own therapy. Rippon,M et al Effectiveness of a non-medicated wound dressing on attached and biofilm encased bacteria: laboratory and clinical evidence. J Wound Care 2018;27(3):146-155.