Acticoat 3 & 7 (Antimicrobial Dressing ) - Smith and Nephew
Description: `nanocrystals’ of metallic silver exhibit pronounced antibacterial activity against a wide range of organisms.
Indications: for partial and full-thickness wounds such as leg ulcers, pressures sores and other chronic wounds with Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria including strains resistant to many types of antibiotics. It is also effective against clinically important strains of yeasts and fungi (Smith and Nephew, 2008).
Authors notes:
1. Fastest kill rate verses other silver dressings on the widest group of organisms.
2. May be best used with a uniform wound bed so the silver can contact the wound bed.
3. Use alternatively with Iodosorb for bioburden
Iodosorb (Antimicrobial Ointment) - Smith and Nephew
Description: In the presence of aqueous solutions or wound fluid, the beads in the ointment take up liquid and swell, slowly releasing the iodine, which imparts antibacterial properties to the dressing.
Indications: chronically wet wounds such as leg ulcers, pressure ulcers and diabetic ulcers, particularly when infection is present or suspected. (Smith and Nephew, 2008 )
Authors notes:
1. Fast kill rate.
2. Try in place of silver, if silver treatments are not effective.
3. Can be used on regular or irregular base wound beds.
4. Best used on small to medium sized infected wounds. (because of the risk of thyroid toxicity in larger dosages).
5. Good for medium and high draining infected wounds.
6. Use alternatively with Acticoat 3 or 7 with bioburden.
Matthew Livingston R.N. C.W.S.