Wound dressings protect against bacterial environment: results of a prospective clinical study

Numerous bacteria are found in almost all wounds. Multidrug-resistant bacteria are a particular challenge. Wound dressings are primarily intended to improve wound healing. Their protective function for the environment and other people from the potentially pathogenic bacteria has been little studied. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the effectiveness of wound dressings in protecting the environment from bacterial contamination in a prospective clinical study within routine care.

Patients with wounds of different types were studied in an interdisciplinary certified wound care centre. Examinations were performed during routine patient visits. Wound-related data were collected and fluorescence images of all wounds, wound dressings and wound exteriors were taken.

Of the 151 patients included, 68 (45%) were male and 83 (55%) were female. The wound duration ranged from 1-1399 weeks, with 77.5% being hard-to-heal (chronic) wounds. Wound care was provided by an ambulatory care service for 75 (49.7%) patients and by the patients themselves in 76 (50.3%) cases. A total of 67 (44.4%) patients used antimicrobial wound therapy. Using fluorescence photography, bacterial colonisation could be detected in 62 (41.1%) wounds; on the inner side of the wound dressings it was detectable in 19 (13.1%) and on the outside only in one wound dressing which had been incorrectly applied.

In this study, both antimicrobial and non-antimicrobial dressings were shown to provide an effective barrier to bacterial penetration through the dressings when applied correctly. This ensured adequate protection of the environment and others from bacterial contamination when modern dressings were used correctly.