Biofilm in wound healing

Dear Wound Care Enthusiasts

Last week we were fortunate to attend a workshop at the BBraun head offices on infection and the role of biofilm in wound bed preparation.  The talk on infection and biofilm by Helen Loudon and infection control specialist was a true eye opener and highlights from her talk included:

• Growth of bacteria from wound swabs is not synonymous with infection and treatment based on culture results alone is not warranted.
• Bacteria with biofilms are up to 1000 times more resistant to antimicrobials than the same bacteria in suspension
• We need to use products that can have a disruptive influence on biofilm allowing antimicrobials to actively kill the organisms involved.
• A stepwise approach is needed when we use antimicrobial products

Her discussion on the about the ESKAPE group of bacteria also challenged the audience to have a different outlook with regards to our bacterial environment it seems that we are merely visitors in their world and not the other way around.

The discussion lead by Thomas on wound bed preparation making use of prontosan was an eye opener.  Now we have a product working as both a surfactant (Betaine) and a powerful antimicrobial (Polyhexanied (PHMB)).

This product reduces biofilm in pseudomona aeruginosa by 87%!  The result better efficacy from all antimicrobials once the biofilm is addressed.  Are you aware that biofilm forms within 2-4 hours?  Fully mature biofilm that is resistant to biocides from within 2-4 days depending on species and growth conditions.  Biofilm rapidly recovers from mechanical disruption and reform mature biofilm within 24 hours.  This is why it is so important to utilize a product such as this to disrupt the biofilm and actively kill the organisms hiding within the extracellular polymeric substance (EPS).



Make sure that you use Prontosan correctly as prescribed by the company to ensure the best results.  Also make sure that you contact the company direct for more information at information@bbraun.co.za.

Ljiljana Deletic a wound care specialist from Milpark hospital shared her experiences with Prontosan solution and the KCI Vac Veraflo dressings.  It is clear that the combination of the two are making a huge difference in the management of these complex traumatic wounds.  She is certainly an inspiration to all patients and colleagues alike.

I also shared my experience within a outpatient centre utilising prontosan in removing Biofilm.  This product certainly makes my job easier in combatting our invisible enemy the biofilm.



Tatum, Liezl & Meinke

Congratulations BBraun on a fantastic workshop providing real solutions within a complex environment.

Keep on learning!

Liezl