Infection Control - Part 2: Bacterial biofilm and the infection prevention “balancing act”: the case for using a polyhexamethylene biguanide solution in chronic and complex wound management

Abstract

“Game changer” – an event, idea, or procedure that effects a significant shift in the current manner of doing or thinking about something. This is the second in a two-part series in which the microbiome of chronic and septic wounds is examined, justifying the proactive clinical management of wound biofilm to control infection risk, improve patients’ quality of life, reduce associated costs and promote better healing outcomes. The infection prevention practitioner has an important role to play in decision-making in complicated wound management, ensuring the selection and correct use of appropriate topical antiseptics, based upon local pathogen surveillance and insight into the prevalence of drug-resistant strains.