2005 Symposium on Advanced Wound Care | |
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Case Study
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Antimicrobial gauze dressing with PHMB manages and prevents infection in large Claggett’s window Antje Bogart, RN, MSN, WOCN, Cleveland Clinic Homecare, Cleveland, Ohio Clinical Problem. Controlling infections in immuno-compromised patients with open Claggett’s windows exposing lung tissue to microbes in the environment can be challenging to clinicians and traumatic for the affected patient. Description of Past Clinical History and Management. A 59 year-old patient with a history of lung cancer and recurrent empyemas was referred to our homecare agency for the management of a Claggett’s window under his left axilla. The patient was also malnourished. The homecare nurse was unable to control the copious drainage from the deep wound cavity and consulted the WOC Nurse. Current Clinical Approach. The WOC Nurse selected absorbent antimicrobial sterile gauze packing with polyhexamethylene biguanide, an antimicrobial component proven to resist bacterial colonization within the dressing and reduce bacterial penetration through the dressing. Patient Outcome. The broad-spectrum effectiveness of the antibacterial gauze dressing helped prevent infection and decrease copious drainage in the patient’s Claggett’s window for 1 full year , i.e. the patient is free of infection and performs his wound packing once a day. * KERLIX A.M.D. Antimicrobial Dressing, Kendall/Tyco |
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