Chronic wounds are a growing problem in the UK, impacting on patients quality of life as well as vital healthcare resources. Preventing and managing biofilms is fast becoming a primary objective in wound care treatment. Poloxamer-based surfactants, which target biofilms, are emerging as an effective treatment of chronic wounds. Surfactants have been shown to play an active role in cleansing, desloughing, debridement, prevention, disruption and removal of biofilms. This article explores the role of biofilms in wound development — how to prevent, identify and treat them. It also looks at surfactants, such as poloxamer, which is showing promising results in the management of wound biofilm. One particular poloxamer-based surfactant, known for its anti-biofilm capabilities and contained within the UCS™ debridement cloth, is discussed in this article.
There are a number of mechanisms at play that can delay wound healing. Wounds can become stuck in a prolonged inflammatory stage resulting in high volumes of wound exudate, which contains agents that contribute to delayed healing. Exudate plays an essential role in wound healing but at excessive volumes it can also facilitate biofilm formation, which can further delay healing. Maintaining optimum levels of exudate is vital for healthy wound healing, as is the prevention or disruption of biofilm formation in the wound bed. This article also looks at Sorbion Sachet S® (BSN medical), a triedandtested uperabsorbent dressing, which is now back on the Drug Tariff, but at a lower price. This article discusses the mechanisms used in the reintroduced superabsorbent dressing and how it provides a cost-effective solution to the problem of treating highly exuding chronic wounds where clinical efficacy and budgetary concerns are both top priorities.
Ian Pomfret, Lauren Tew & Sharon Eustice discuss the use of silver alloy catheters in the management of catheter encrustation and blockage and reducing catheter acquired urinary tract infections
Ian Pomfret RN, NDN Cert, PWT is District Continence Adviser, Central Lancashire Primrary Care Trust.
Lauren Tew RN, BSc (Hons), PG Dip HE, RNT is Infection Prevention & Control Nurse at NHS Bath & North East Somerset.
Sharon Eustice is Nurse Consultant for Continence, NHS Cornwall & Isles of Scilly.
Article accepted for publication: March 2009
