Infected wound management: advanced technologies, moisture-retentive dressings, and die-hard methods

Wound infection is a significant problem for the complicated, critically ill patient. A critical care patient's plan of care can be challenging enough without complicating it with the additional comorbidity of a wound infection. Wound infection delays wound closure, disrupts wound tensile strength; increases hospital length of stay and costs; and escalates the patient's risk of bacteremia, sepsis, multisystem organ failure, and death. The goal is to reduce and eliminate the wound infection before it leads to such drastic consequences, especially in the age of antibiotic-resistant organisms. It is paramount to identify classic and not-so-obvious signs and symptoms of wound infections, correctly collect a wound specimen, and assist in appropriate systemic and topical wound management. Techniques to prevent wound infection and reduce bioburden include nontoxic wound cleansing, debridement of necrotic tissue, proper antibiotic management, and appropriate use of moisture-retentive dressings. Advanced technologies in moisture-retentive dressings include sustained-release silver and cadexomer iodine antimicrobial dressings and negative-pressure wound therapy. Accurate wound assessment, knowledge of new technologies, and applying current wound care standards to clinical practice will assist the critical care nurse in treating and preventing wound infections.