Christine Murphy and her colleagues have recently published a new international consensus document which addresses the concept of wound hygiene for hard-to-heal wounds. The presumption is that the majority of stalled wounds will contain biofilm. It is suggested that disrupting biofilms via aggressive wound cleansing
Most hard to heal wounds owe their origins to either repeated tissue injury, ischaemia or bioburden (or a combination of all three). Prof G Schultz 2018 at the 4th International Skin Integrity and Infection Prevention conference, Las Vegas USA.
Bowler, Duerden and Armstrong wrote a fascinating article in 2001 on wound microbiology. This was before the impact of biofilm on non-healing wounds was appreciated (as it is today). They state that chronic wounds can have up to 48% of their microbial flora occupied by
In her recent Wound Source blog post, Dr Aletha Tippett reminds us that Clostridium tetani remains an ever present bacterium - primarily found in soil and faeces. Whilst most Westernised countries have eliminated this infection through immunization, increased international transit from regions with poor rates of
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
English Microbiologists Leahy-Gilmartin and Edwards-Jones recently wrote a paper which compared laboratory testing methods on silver dressings. My summary of their findings are : Silver dressings (generically) have a greater antimicrobial effect against Gram negative bacteria than against Gram positive bacteria - including MRSA. Nanocrystalline silver is bacteriocidal
Learning Objectives for the event Saturday April 28 - Novotel Parramatta,NSW To understand the normal anatomy & physiology of the skin and its relationship with the microbial community. To develop consistency in terminology, assessment and decision making based on international wound infection guidelines. To examine
The World Union of Wound Healing Societies has published a new Consensus Document on Surgical Wound Dehiscence. The document has excellent graphics and decision making tools. It covers risk anaylsis, patient and wound assessment, descriptive terminology, preventative modalities and interventions. http://www.woundsinternational.com/consensus-documents/view/surgical-wound-dehiscence-improving-prevention-and-outcomes
Debridement is an essential component of wound bed preparation for chronic or non-healing wounds. However, how debridement is actually done has proven to be problematic for many nurses as often surgical or sharp methodologies (whilst the gold standard) are essentially in the domain of the
BBraun's Skin & Wound Infection Seminar is to be held in Parramatta on April 28. Contact Stuart Riley on 0409 399 629 regarding registration and program information.