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Wound Infection Management

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Typically, chronic wounds are
not cultured unless there are
active signs and symptoms
of infection.
1
The goal of topical
antimicrobial and antiseptic
treatments for infected wounds
is to “barricade” or “delay” the growth 3 Mixing two or more antimicrobials in a
of pathogenic microorganisms. dressing can change the chemical formula,
thereby deactivating the antimicrobial or causing a
cytotoxic effect, harming healthy tissue.

4 Development of an infection is influenced by the virulence

of the organism and the immunological status of the patient.

5 6
Early intervention and preven- 7 Patients being treated with
Any break in the skin
tion of infection are imperative long-term steroids and che-
has a potential risk for
and will reduce the likelihood of motherapy are considered at
wound infection.
wound infections. highest risk of wound infection.

10 Fungi – larger, more complex cells

than bacteria. Fungi are responsible
8 Microorganisms are less than for superficial infection of the skin,
0.1mm in diameter. These variant nails, and hair.
groups are categorized (depending on 11 Protozoa – single-celled
their structure and metabolic capabilities) organisms within a fragile mem-
into bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses. brane without a cell wall. Proto-
zoa are most closely associated
with infected skin ulcers.
9 Bacteria – simple cells
12 Infections of skin lesions during
that are further categorized
certain viral diseases are generally
by their shape and cell wall.
caused by bacteria, not viruses.

13 Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) can gain access to a wound

through direct contact, airborne dispersal, and self-contamination.
14 Important factors in the transmission
of MRSA are direct contact and poor hand
washing techniques.
15 MRSA has now evolved into many different
strains, thus making it difficult to manage
with antibiotics.

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16 Treating or managing
various types of wounds
is one reason antibiotics are
overprescribed.
17 Clinically infected wounds usually require systemic antibiotic
therapy, whereas clinically uninfected wounds that
are healing as expected do not require antimicrobials.

18 Dialkylcarbomoyl chloride (DACC)-based

dressings physically bind bacteria vs. kill bacteria.

19 Acetic acid is
a bactericidal
that is active against
20 Sodium
hypochlorite
is active against
21 Silver dressings
slowly release sil-
ver ions that are broad
22 Miconazole
nitrate is an
azole antifungal that
23 Silver
sulfadiazine
is a sulfonamide
gram-positive and vegetative bacteria, spectrum and active works by preventing antibiotic used top-
gram-negative organ- viruses, and some against MRSA and the growth of fungus. ically for the treat-
isms, including Pseu- spores and fungi. vancomycin-resistant ment of second- or
domonas aeruginosa. Enterococcus (VRE). third-degree burns.

24 Antibiotic resistance is an expanding global dilemma. There have

been no new classes of antibiotics in recent decades, and we rely on the most
current available agents.

25
Confirm infection with swabbing, serum
investigations – C-reactive protein (CRP), and
quantitative analysis – wound biopsy.
26
DNA sequencing is a diagnostic tool that
can code over 25,000 microbes within a
wound bed.
27 Silver nitrate swabs, solution, and ointment
are bactericidal against a broad spectrum of gram-
positive and gram-negative bacteria.

29 Antibiotic resistance occurs when

28
bacteria change in a manner that reduces
Every time a person takes antibi- or eliminates the efficacy of the agents used in the
otics, sensitive bacteria are killed, treatment of a condition caused by the pathogen.

but resistant bacteria may be left

to grow and multiply. 30 Although antibiotics and other agents
are required to treat severe bacterial
infections, misuse has contributed to a rise in
bacterial resistance.

31 In the US there are an estimated 23,000 deaths and more than 2 million illnesses resulting from
resistant organisms. Promote awareness of and adherence to antimicrobial stewardship practices in your facility.

A Fact A Day - Wound Infection Management • © 2018 Kestrel Health Information, Inc. • www.woundsource.com 2