Chapter 4. Wound Care
4.3 Wound Infection and Risk of Wound Infection
Wound Infection
Wounds are not sterile because normal flora is a part of human existence. Even intentional wounds contain microbes which may include bacteria and fungi. It is important for the nurse to recognize that presence of bacteria in a wound does not necessarily mean infection. It is also important for the nurse to recognize their role in reducing risk of infection through standard precautions and by working with the patient and interdisciplinary team to mitigate factors that might contribute to patient risk. The wound infection continuum is characterized by increasing numbers and virulence of microorganisms and the host’s response to them.
Table 4.5 Wound Infection Continuum and S&S Associated with Each Stage |
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| Contamination | All wounds may acquire micro-organisms. If the ideal microbe environment does not exist and host defenses are strong, microbes cannot multiply. They are present but don’t affect wound healing. | ||
| Local Infection | Subtle signs of local infection:
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Classic signs of local infection:
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| Spreading Infection |
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| Systemic |
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| Data source: ©Wounds International. Adapted for this textbook with permission. |
Factors that Increase the Risk of Wound Infection
Table 4.6 Considerations for Increased Risk of Wound Infection |
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Individual Factors |
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Wound Factors |
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Acute wounds:
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Chronic wounds:
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Both wound types:
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Environment Factors |
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| Data source: © Wounds International. Adapted for this textbook with permission. |
Critical Thinking Exercises
- Gerry is 58 years old. He has a history of smoking and hypertension, and has been in a motorcycle accident resulting in significant abrasions to his arms and legs. What factors increase Gerry’s risk of wound infection?
- JT is 38 years old. Has had paraplegia and a wound on the right ischium for 18 months. What factors increase JT’s risk of wound infection?
- What are the commonalities in relation to risk of wound infection and risk of impaired wound healing?
Attributions
Table 4.5 and 4.6 International Wound Infection Institute, 2016