Antimicrobial Dressings - Introduction | How it Works | How to Use | How to Choose
What are Antimicrobial Dressings?
Antimicrobial wound dressings are available in many forms like sponges, silver dressings, foam dressing, hydrogel dressing, island dressings, non-adherent dressings, adherent dressings etc. These dressings are meant to cover the wound and alter the wound bed bioburden through their antimicrobial activity. The ability of antimicrobial dressings to handle exudate depends largely on the characteristics and composition of the dressing. In cases of infection in partial- and full-thickness wounds, tracheostomies, over percutaneous line sites and surgical incisions, etc. antimicrobial dressings are recommended. Example - Derma Algicell Ag Dressings
Benefits of Antimicrobial Wound Dressings
Antimicrobial dressings offer many benefits.
- Relatively easy to use
- Widely available
- Frequently cost less than antibiotics
- Available without prescription
- Have less risk of resistance
How do Antimicrobial Dressings work?
Antimicrobial dressings lowers the potential toxicity to host cells by giving out a continuous and uniform release of antimicrobial agents to the wound bed and lowering the concentration of microbial agents. These dressings use antimicrobial agents like silver, iodine or polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) that are known to reduce microbial activities. Antimicrobial dressings can be left in place for several days depending upon the wound drainage and amount of dead cells present.
How to use Antimicrobial Dressings?
- Get a wound swab
- Clean wound and peri-wound skin, eliminating as much necrotic tissue as possible and wound debris/slough
- To protect the periwound skin, select the appropriate barrier product to protect the periwound skin
- Consider if the antimicrobial dressing is appropriate at this stage — Yes
- Consider wound requirement and area to be treated — select product with high absorbency and high levels of available antimicrobial agent
- The dressing should be known to function under compression
- Increase dressing change frequency until exudate leakage is controlled
- Continue debridement and wound cleaning at each dressing change session
- Monitor carefully for signs of spreading infection and cellulitis and review bacterial swab results
- Add systemic treatment based on sensitivity findings if the wound continues to deteriorate.
- Set treatment goals and review date, planning to discontinue antimicrobial dressing after 14–21 days
When to use Antimicrobial Dressings?
Antimicrobial dressings can be used as a primary or secondary dressing for the treatment of draining, exuding, infected and non-healing wounds where a bacterial contamination present, including:
- Pressure ulcers
- Diabetic ulcers
- Partial thickness burn/second degree burn
- Surgical/post-operative wounds
- Donor sites
- Superficial burn/first degree burn
- Venous ulcers/foot/leg ulcers
- Laceration/abrasions
- Acute/traumatic wounds
- Full thickness burn/third-degree burn/graft wound
- Moderate-to-high exuding wounds
- Partial/full thickness wounds
- Arterial ulcers
- IV or Pin Site
Choosing the right Antimicrobial Wound dressing
The selection of the appropriate dressing depends greatly upon the type of wound and the requirement of the patient. Silver antimicrobial dressings provide a topical antimicrobial surface that reduces the bacteria and fungi counts on the wound surface as in the case of
Argentum Silverlon Antimicrobial Wound Contact Dressing. The
Derma Algicell Ag dressing provides an effective barrier to pathogens with its seven-day effect. Another variation in antimicrobial dressings are those with nanocrystalline silver that conform to the body contours for eg. The
Acticoat Flex 3 Antimicrobial Dressing form Smith & Nephew that comes with a low adherent polyester layer which helps minimize wound trauma at dressing changes. In some cases powder dressings may work better than other dressings. When a wound which produces high exudates needs to be dressed alginate powder dressings are preferred by medical professionals. The powder turns into a gel as it come in contact with the wound by absorbing the fluid from the wound. Powder dressing is ideal for deep, tunneling, highly exuding hard to dress wounds. Try the Medline Arglaes Antimicrobial Powder Dressing for high exudate wounds.
What parameters should be considered when choosing which antimicrobial bandage to be used on a patient?
Some of the many parameters that should be considered are:
- Depth/size location of wound
- Exudate volume and type
- Ability to conform wound bed and any dead space
- Any contraindications for the patient or the wound aetiology and site
- Any patient allergies
- Patient age, i.e. is it safe to be used on neonates or children
- Possible toxins released/effect on patient/wound
- Manufacturers guidelines to be followed
- Patients comorbidities and contraindications
- Patient choice — acceptance and comfort
Choose from a range of antimicrobial wound dressings from top manufacturers like Argentum Medical Llc, Smith & Nephew, Covidien/Medtronic, Medline Industries, Molnlycke Health Care, Coloplast, Dumex/Derma Sciences, and many more… at effective prices on HPFY. For more assistance call our customer care team toll free at 866.316.0162
Research and Articles on Antimicrobial dressing
FAQ's
Frequently asked questions
Antimicrobial dressings are wound covers that impact the bio-burden of the wound bed. They are effective in reducing risks of infection within partial and full thickness wounds, over percutaneous line sites and surgical incisions or across tracheostomies. Antimicrobial dressings are available in sponges, impregnated woven gauzes, film dressings, absorptive products, island dressings, nylon fabrics, non-adherent barriers or a combination of materials. The dressing possesses the potential to handle exudate depending on the characteristics and components of the product.
Antimicrobial dressings can be used in the prevention and management of wound infections. Certain harmful bacteria can delay wound healing through the release of toxins that damage tissues and increase exudate levels within wounds. Antimicrobials, such as cadexomer iodine products and silver dressings, can help minimize bacteria presence within wounds thus reducing risks of infection and inflammation.
Antimicrobial dressing work through slow release of active ingredients into the wound bed with the intention to kill bacteria with minimum impact on healthy cells.
Antimicrobial dressings should be used as long as the wound infection is local and spreading. Once the infection spread has stopped, discontinue the use of antimicrobial dressing. If the infection continues to spread then stop use of the dressing and contact the doctor. An antibiotic may need to be given.