The Infection Continuum Absence of is reached soon after initial environment and minimise risk Type Undertake full, holistic assessment organisms wounding even with clean of infection STERILE and manage wound according to for a very surgical wounds and particularly local guidelines. Underlying brief period with surgical wounds that are in pathology and tissue type should be following close proximity to ‘dirty’ areas considered initial the bowel, and progresses surgical quickly to colonisation incision or CONTAMINATED thermal Growth and death of organisms To promote a healing trauma. This kept at a safe level by host immune response resulting in a environment and minimise risk situation is Undertake full, holistic assessment only normal healthy balance. Colonisation is a of infection particularly in high and manage wound according to in normal situation for chronic risk patient groups e.g. burns, local guidelines. aseptically wounds diabetics, immunocompromised created patients, patients with acute For high risk patients, consider using clean traumatic wounds Management Aim an antimicrobial dressing. The surgical To promote a healing COLONISED choice of dressing will be wounds Treatment Option environment and minimise risk determined by other wound and of infection Undertake full, holistic patient characteristics e.g. Presence of Increasing assessment and manage wound exudate, tissue type, location, microbes but bacterial burden according to local guidelines. known sensitivities little active Underlying pathology and tissue growth. type should be considered To promote a healing
The Infection Continuum Type STERILE CONTAMINATED COLONISED Increasing bacterial burden Absence of organisms for a very brief period following initial surgical incision or thermal trauma. This situation is only normal in aseptically created clean surgical wounds Presence of microbes but little active growth. is reached soon after initial wounding even with clean surgical wounds and particularly with surgical wounds that are in close proximity to ‘dirty’ areas the bowel, and progresses quickly to colonisation Growth and death of organisms kept at a safe level by host immune response resulting in a healthy balance. Colonisation is a normal situation for chronic wounds Management Aim To promote a healing environment and minimise risk of infection To promote a healing environment and minimise risk of infection To promote a healing environment and minimise risk of infection particularly in high risk patient groups e.g. burns, diabetics, immunocompromised patients, patients with acute traumatic wounds Treatment Option Undertake full, holistic assessment and manage wound according to local guidelines. Underlying pathology and tissue type should be considered Undertake full, holistic assessment and manage wound according to local guidelines. Underlying pathology and tissue type should be considered Undertake full, holistic assessment and manage wound according to local guidelines. For high risk patients, consider using an antimicrobial dressing. The choice of dressing will be determined by other wound and patient characteristics e.g. exudate, tissue type, location, known sensitivities