Purpose: Until recently, local wound infection has been a challenge for wound care clinicians with few management options. Silver ions are potent antimicrobial agents and have proven antimicrobial activity against antibiotic resistant bacteria such as methicillin-resisitant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant entercocci (VRE). Ranges of antimicrobial dressings containing silver either incorporated within or applied to the dressing are now available for clinical use.

Objective: Ulcers with tunneling/undermining or with irregular aspects are challenging wounds to treat by standard silver dressings (i.e. foams/alginates) and may cause skin staining. We evaluated a silver treatment that could be applied directly to a multitude of wounds of any shape, size, or depth and that could be combined easily with other dressings to create a system for bioburden control and optimal moist wound healing. It was also important to us that the design and protocol of the product allowed the WOCN to teach unskilled patients and caregivers to perform the dressing change themselves.

Conclusion: Dressing selection is a vital part of the successful management of infected wounds and those at risk of infection. The evaluation of the silver alginate powder proved to be compatible with our other dressings and assisted with infection free healing. The powder was well suited for abnormal contouring wounds making it very versatile in its use. Caregivers and patients verified the ease of use of the product and its ability to cut down the amount of dressing changes due to the products ability to manage fluid and release silver over a sustained period of time.