 Antibiotic
resistance is still on the rise despite the medical
community's concerted effort to neutralize the threat.
To win this battle, it's important to find innovative
ways to fight these superbugs without the aid of antibiotics.
A team of nurses and doctors at the Charles LeMoyne
Hospital in Longeuil, QC, have developed a new method
of treating infected wounds that can both kill these
bacteria and speed the healing process -- the new therapy
cuts recovery time by close to 50%.
"The treatment is really for wounds
that are difficult to heal," explains Dr Laurent Delorme,
a microbiologist and head of ambulatory care at Charles
LeMoyne Hospital. He adds that in many cases the wounds
in question are infected with antibiotic resistant bacteria,
like methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
Dr Delorme explains that these pathogenic bacteria often
colonize chronic wounds from bedsores, accidents, surgery
and diabetic ulcers. Standard systemic antibiotic treatment
doesn't necessarily get rid of all the pathogens, which
in turn delays proper healing.
TWO-PRONGED
ATTACK
Treating problematic wounds requires doctors to destroy
the resistant bacteria and find a way to absorb the
wounds' secretions. The new method fills both these
criteria by combining two commonly used therapies, a
silver coated dressing (Acticoat) and vacuum-assisted
closure (VAC) therapy.
How does it work? First the Acticoat
dressing is placed directly on the site to stop any
bacterial growth and 'decolonize' the pathogens -- but
this in itself cannot complete the healing process as
none of the secretions are absorbed. This is where VAC
therapy comes in. The VAC sponge, tube and pump draw
out the fluid and "helps to clean out the wound," explains
Dr Delorme. "The treatment basically causes a natural
cellular regeneration."
To qualify for treatment, wounds
must meet two major criteria -- they have to be infected
with bacterial pathogens and exhibit considerable fluid
secretions that warrant several dressing changes. He
adds that this treatment works best on wounds that are
5cm2 in size and quite deep.
SORE
SUCCESS
The method has been tested, with very positive results,
on over 100 patients. Dr Delorme says that the team
first tried it out on a patient suffering from sacrum
bedsores located on the lower back. They then moved
to other types of wounds, including diabetic foot ulcers.
One drawback of the treatment is
that the cost per diem is higher -- about $90. But the
cost at the end of the line is cheaper because it cuts
the amount of time a patient spends in hospital. "There's
no need for a daily dressing change," adds Dr Delorme.
"We can send the patient home with the new dressing
and follow them as an outpatient."
To date this research hasn't yet
been published but the novel approach has generated
quite a stir. Many other Canadian hospitals have contacted
the Quebec team to find out more on how it works.
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