Antibiotic prescribing in wound care

What is it about?

This article discusses suspected wound infection and the difference between local infection or what was called critical colonisation, and systemic infection. It also discusses how to differentiate between these and the most appropriate treatment.

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Why is it important?

In light of the well-known over usage of antibiotics for infection, particularly in wounds, nurses need to be familiar with the signs and symptoms of actual infection in a wound in order to prescribe systemic antibiotics appropriately. Frequently, these wounds can be managed with topical antimicrobials and dressings and antibiotics are not appropriate. The article also discusses when and how to take a wound swab appropriately and when to act on the results of these.