Long-Term Care Survey Alert

Published on Mon Oct 03, 2011 PDF

Question: What are some recommended ways to treat a biofilm that you can see on a wound?

Answer: Jenny Hurlow, RN, GNP, WOCN, a wound care expert in Memphis, Tenn., says that based on her experience, "removing wound biofilm requires a sharp disruption. I use a disposable curette to gently cut away the film with minimal trauma to the underlying tissue. Then I use a non-cytotoxic antiseptic wound cleanser to kill the newly exposed planktonic bacteria," she adds. "That means the bacteria are not in the film anymore and are hanging out by themselves and thus more susceptible to antimicrobial action. Frequently, however, the biofilm will reform within two to three days. So I regularly use a noncytotoxic antiseptic cleanser and will sharply disrupt any visible wound bed biofilm."

S. Bird, MD, CWS, agrees that "the most efficient way to remove biofilm is by sharp debridement. This will provide immediate results. Often the biofilm may re-accumulate; therefore repeat procedures may be needed," adds Bird, chief medical officer for Vohra Wound Physicians in Miramar, Fla. He notes that "manufacturers of enzymatic debriding agents will tout the benefits of using these agents to reduce the microscopic biofilm or prevent the re-accumulation of such. A combination of sharp debridement followed by enzymatic application may be one method of removing and preventing the re-accumulation. Whatever method is used, management of the biofilm is crucial in providing optimal wound care and preventing complications..."