The wound care industry market brings forth a perfect blend of standard and evolving solutions, because of their targeted patrons. The marketplace of wound care dressings is rather exhaustive, with ample of options. However, few types of dressings are acknowledged as a global favourite. Silver dressings are one such classic example. Being comprehensively enriched with a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity, these silver dressings acts efficiently on multiple bacterial sites. Available in a range of formulations, including ointments, creams, and dressings impregnated with silver-releasing compounds or elemental silver, these silver dressings have witnessed a constant evolution. These dressings are widely adopted in a range of healthcare settings.
Let’s dig deeper in the niche of Silver dressings and understand what these dressings are, how to select them, and what precautions are to be considered while using them.
A Brief Synopsis of Silver Dressings
Silver Dressings are recognized as a potent anti-microbial, which are designed to treat and prevent wound infections. These dressings have silver ions as an active agent that effectively kills microbes rapidly as bacteria have a natural affinity for silver.
What is the Major Role of the Silver Dressings?
The major role of these antimicrobial dressings is:
a) To act as an antimicrobial barrier for acute or chronic wounds at re-infection or high risk of infection
b) To decrease bioburden in acute or chronic wounds that are being prevented from healing by microorganisms
Where to use Silver Dressings?
Silver dressings are confined for wounds where an excessive wound bioburden is delaying healing or infection has already established. You can use these dressings on acute wounds, chronic wounds and systemic infection.
When not to use Silver Dressings?
There are some situations where silver dressings must not be used. Here are few of them:
a) Small wounds that are at low risk of infection
b) When patient is sensitive to silver
c) When women are lactating or pregnant
d) In the absence of signs of localised
e) When wounds are being treated with enzymatic debridement
How to choose Silver Dressings?
a) Patient preference
b) Volume of exudate
c) Condition of skin
d) Location of wound
e) Use under compression
f) Presence of infection
g) Basis of familiarity and availability
Tips for Using Silver Dressings
a) Conduct a complete assessment of the wound, environment, as well as patient to ensure whether it is appropriate to use or not.
b) Document the rationale in patient's healthcare records prior using a silver dressing
c) Choose the dressing on the basis of wound and patient needs
d) Initially take a two week challenge on infected wound
e) Regular review to ensure if it is working or not efficiently on the wound
f) Strictly follow manufacturer's instructions while using it
g) Say no to SSD Dressings for patients sensitive to sulfonamide antibiotics
Precautions to be considered
Some of the precautions to be taken while using the silver dressings are as follow:
a) Ensure patient is not sensitive to any additives or agents in silver
b) Read precaution/warning on product before applying
c) Don’t use it prior to magnetic resonance imaging
Silver Dressings are the most effective options to heal acute to chronic infection. Improve the patient quality of life with these antimicrobial dressings. Silver dressings are available in combination with Alginates, Foams and Hydrocolloids.
Wound-Care.co.uk is a reputed supplier of Silver Dressings which efficiently heal and protect your wound from further infection. Explore our online destination to buy these dressings in different sizes as per your preferences.