Part1: Integrating infection prevention practice with chronic wound and burn management

Abstract

The prophylactic and unnecessary use of topical antiseptics, antimicrobial dressings and antibiotics on uncomplicated, colonised, normally progressing wounds is a cause for concern, evidenced by an increasing number of community-associated strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus which are also resistant to mupirocin, and multidrug resistant Gram-negative isolates. This is the first in a two-part series. The role of the medical microbiologist in superficial wound sampling will be highlighted in this article, and key principles in the appropriate selection and use of topical antimicrobial agents summarised.