title: PEG site infections: a novel use for Actisorb Silver 220.
abstract: Any breach in the integrity of the skin, such as occurs in wounds and incisions, and intravascular catheters, can act as a portal for the ingress of microorganisms and thereby predispose the patient to infection. The infection, if unchecked, can put the patient at risk of bacteraemia. We have reviewed the care of percutaneous enterostomal gastrostomy (PEG) sites in our trust hospital and in the local community and have implemented practice guidelines to reduce infection risks. These include protocols for skin care around PEG sites, and the use of an antibacterial dressing - Actisorb Silver 220 - to manage local colonization. The preliminary results of this exercise indicate that patient comfort can be improved, hypergranulation reduced, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization and infection eradicated.
authors.affiliation: Wound Care Services, Doncaster Royal Infirmary, Doncaster.
authors.forename: Kathy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Leak
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001458:Bandages / Q000592:standards*; D002606:Charcoal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005774:Gastrostomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D018030:Silver Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017592:Skin Care / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D018030:Silver Compounds; D002606:Charcoal