Infection management pathway

Infection management

Extensive auditing revealed twice as many wounds with infection as those initially reported by clinicians, and up to 59% of antimicrobial solutions were used on wounds with no clinical signs of infection.¹ As a route to more effective infection management, a clear, concise treatment pathway may help improve patient outcomes through accurate decision-making, a fast response and effective treatment choices²

Transforming outcomes, changing lives

• Infected wounds can lead to pain, odour, anxiety and social isolation, with the potential for sepsis, multiple organ dysfunction and loss of life in the worst cases^2,3
• The presence of infection and biofilm can delay healing, increase the risk of wider complications - such as amputation or systemic infection - and increase costs^4-7
• Among diabetic patients with infected foot wounds, there is a 20% risk of lower
• extremity amputation⁸
• Treating an infected venous leg ulcer (VLU) with an antimicrobial in the UK is estimated to cost an average £10,777⁹

Let us be your ally. Our new infection management pathway aims to help reduce the risk of spreading and systemic infection, to help improve outcomes and reduce costs.²

The right antimicrobial solution at the right time

Expert recommendations suggest wounds with local or spreading infection need to be assessed and managed differently to wounds with biofilm-associated infection,^2,5 yet only ~60% of clinicians globally follow a specific protocol for biofilm.^10,11 A new treatment pathway may help guide decision-making.²

Local and spreading infection

Used early in local infection management, ACTICOAT^◊ Antimicrobial Barrier Dressings may help reduce the risk of progression to systemic infection.^12-14

Signs and symptoms of biofilm 

Wounds with signs of biofilm may need a disruptive intervention, ^5,15 with evidence showing some antimicrobial products have little impact.^5,15 IODOSORB^◊ Cadexomer Iodine products can disrupt and kill biofilm – helping to remove barriers to healing.^16-27

IODOSORB Cadexomer Iodine Range

Smart micro-bead technology is loaded with 0.9% elemental iodine to offer sustained release when in contact with wound fluid.^28-30 The IODOSORB Range provides broad- spectrum antimicrobial activity* for up to 72 hours.^31,32

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ACTICOAT Dressings

Featuring nanocrystalline silver, ACTICOAT Dressings have been shown to resolve all signs and symptoms of infection on 60% of adults within 2 weeks.**33

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*As demonstrated in vitro.
**n=75.

For detailed product information, including indications for use, contraindications, precautions and warnings, please consult the product’s applicable Instructions for Use (IFU) prior to use.

Products may not be available in all markets because product availability is subject to the regulatory and/or medical practices in individual markets. Please contact your Smith+Nephew representative or distributor if you have questions about the availability of Smith+Nephew products in your area.

©April 2022 Smith+Nephew 34673.

References

1. Styche, T. Presented at EWMA, Gothenburg, 2019.
2. Dowsett C, et al. Wounds Int, 2020; Vol 11, Issue 3.
3. Lindholm, C. et al. Int. Wound J, 2016; 13, 5–15.
4. Guest, J. et al. Presented at: CATALYST Health Economics Consultants Ltd; UK. 2017.
5. Schultz G, et al. Wound Repair Regen, 2017; 25, 744–757.
6. Malone M, et al. J. Wound Care, 2017; 26, 20–25.
7. Guest JF, et al. Int. Wound J, 2018; 15, 43–52.