Infection Prevention in Wound Care

Why Wound Hygiene Matters More Than Ever

Infection prevention in wound care is an important consideration for clinicians managing acute and chronic wounds. It may influence healing outcomes, patient experience, and the overall use of healthcare resources.¹’²

While advanced therapies continue to evolve, consistent evidence-based practice remains fundamental to wound hygiene, alongside access to appropriate clinical solutions.

Effective infection prevention relies on the consistent application of wound hygiene principles in clinical practice.

Wound hygiene is a structured approach to wound care that focuses on cleansing, debridement, and ongoing assessment to help reduce infection risk and support healing.

Key Takeaways

• Infection prevention in wound care requires a consistent and structured approach.¹’²
• Wound hygiene focuses on cleansing, debridement, and ongoing assessment to help reduce infection risk.¹’²
• Biofilm and microbial burden can contribute to delayed healing if not appropriately managed.³
• Consistent wound hygiene practices may support improved healing outcomes across acute, chronic, and surgical wounds.¹’²
• Clinically appropriate wound care solutions can support infection prevention strategies across New Zealand healthcare settings.

Why Infection Risk Persists in Wound Care

Wounds do not always progress as expected, and infection risk may not always be immediately visible.

Factors such as bioburden and biofilm can contribute to delayed healing³. Biofilm is a group of bacteria living together in a protective layer which helps them survive and can reduce the effectiveness of treatment if not appropriately managed. Proper management of biofilms in chronic wound infections is therefore believed to be key in successful healing.³

For this reason, infection prevention is not a single intervention. It is an ongoing process that should be applied throughout the continuum of care.

What Is Wound Hygiene and Why It Matters

Wound hygiene is a structured approach to wound management supporting infection prevention through consistent and repeatable practices. ²

It typically includes four key steps:

• Cleansing the wound and surrounding skin²
• Debridement, where clinically appropriate, to remove non-viable tissue¹
• Ongoing assessment to monitor for signs of infection or delayed healing
• Consistent application of these steps at each dressing change

This framework aligns with recognised best practice principles and supports clinicians in delivering standardised care.²

How Wound Hygiene Supports Infection Prevention

Applying wound hygiene principles in wound care consistently may help to:

• Reduce microbial burden within the wound ¹’²
• Disrupt and manage biofilm³
• Support a balanced wound environment
• Reduce the risk of local infection ¹’²

Outcomes will vary depending on patient factors, wound type, and clinical context.

Supporting Clinical Practice with Infection Prevention Solutions

A range of clinically used solutions are available within our broader Wound Care portfolio, supporting clinicians across acute, chronic and surgical wound management. These should be selected based on individual patient needs and clinical judgement.

Wound Cleansing, Prevention and Management of Biofilm

Prontosan Wound Irrigation Solution is designed for cleansing and decontamination of acute and chronic wounds, including burns.

It may assist with:

• Removing debris and contaminants
• Has a broad spectrum antimicrobial cover⁴
• Supporting the prevention and removal of Biofilms⁴

Effective cleansing is widely considered an important step in preparing the wound bed. ¹’²

Prontosan Wound Irrigation Solution

Managing Bacterial Burden

Inadine Non-Adherent Dressing provides broad spectrum antimicrobial effect and is indicated for use in the management of bacterial contamination in both chronic and acute wounds.⁵

Key features include:

• Activity against a wide range of bacterial organisms
• Non-adherent design to help minimise risk of tissue damage and reduce pain at in the form of patented silver dressing changes
• A visual indicator to support appropriate dressing change timing

Inadine Non-Adherent Dressing

Supporting At Risk or Infected Wounds

Askina Calgitrol Paste is an antimicrobial dressing consisting of an ionic silver alginate matrix in paste form.

Advantages:

• Management of infected wounds or wounds at high risk of infection⁶
• Maintenance of a moist wound environment⁶
• Conforms to wound and irregular wound beds and long applicator ideal for difficult to manage wound areas⁶

Askina® Calgitrol® Paste

Postoperative Incision Management

Prevena Therapy is a closed incision negative pressure therapy system designed to proactively manage the environment of closed surgical incisions in patients at high risk of post-operative complications.⁷

It is designed to supply:

• Incision support: Aids in keeping incision edges together and reduce lateral tension⁷
• Protection: Creates a barrier against external contamination⁷
• Fluid management: Reducing oedema and incision integrity⁷

Clinical studies suggest Prevena Therapy shows reductions in the incidence surgical site complications and surgical site infections as well as seroma formation, in high-risk patients. Outcomes may vary and use should be guided by clinical judgement and product indications⁷.

Prevena Therapy

Why Consistency Matters in Wound Care

Consistency in applying wound hygiene principles is a key factor in supporting infection prevention.

A structured approach may help to:

• Reduce variation in care
• Support early identification of complications
• Improve overall wound management practices²

In many clinical settings, reliable application of fundamental care principles is as important as the selection of advanced therapies.

Supporting Better Outcomes Through Best Practice

Infection prevention in wound care is not a single step. It is an ongoing process supported by consistent clinical practice, appropriate product selection, and regular reassessment.

By maintaining a focus on evidence-based fundamentals, clinicians can continue to support safe and effective wound care across New Zealand.

This approach reflects recognised wound care principles and clinical best practice.

Learn More About Infection Prevention in Wound Care

If you are looking to strengthen your approach to wound hygiene and infection prevention, our team can support you with clinically appropriate solutions across a range of care settings.

Whether you are managing acute, chronic, or surgical wounds, we can help you identify the right products to support clinical practice and patient care.

Explore our wound care management solutions designed to support clinical practice across different care settings.

Get in touch with our team to discuss your wound care requirements or learn more about our solutions. https://intermedmedical61894.activehosted.com/f/385

Frequently Asked Questions: Infection Prevention and Wound Hygiene