title: Use of appropriate antimicrobials in wound management.
abstract: The primary goal of wound management is to achieve a functional closure with minimal scarring. Preventing infection is important to facilitate the healing process. Most simple, uncomplicated wounds do not need systemic antibiotics but benefit from the use of topical antibiotics. Judicious use of antibiotics reduces unnecessary adverse events and helps reduce the development of resistance. Although antibiotics can help reduce infection risk and promote healing, they are not a substitute for good local wound care, in particular irrigation and surgical débridement. This article reviews the role of antibiotics in emergency department wound management.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, 2730 NW Pettygrove Street, Portland, OR 97210-2449, USA.
authors.forename: Yoko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.forename: Mohamud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Daya
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001733:Bites and Stings / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology; D002415:Cats; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004285:Dogs; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000379:methods; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000145:classification / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents