For example, do we as nurses understand the importance of looking at not only the silver content of dressings but also the differing properties of silver dressings? Also, it is essential to be aware of the importance of looking at the expected outcomes for the patient and the surrounding environment - we must strive to protect the patients wound as well as the surrounding environment. Strike through is a common problem seen within the hospital setting and it is essential to use a silver dressing* that will act as a bacterial barrier and kill the bacterial spores within the dressing to prevent release into the environment if strike through occurs.

The poster presentation will illustrate how a patient's wounds remained clear of MRSA while the patient was moved through an intensive care high dependency unit, a surgical ward then to another hospital site where he acquired MRSA in the groin and nose. It is worth noting from the pictures that the tissue at all times showed healthy granulation tissue with no staining. We will demonstrate using some of our patients wound pictures, together with laboratory pictures for an in-vitro study how we have successfully interpreted laboratory data and transferred our interpretations into practice, to achieve the expected outcomes for our patients whilst protecting the surrounding environment.

Picture from the laboratory are used with the kind permission of Manchester University (Dr V. Edwards-Jones)