Antimicrobial Resistance & Stewardship: A Wound-Care Update
Published in Volume 33, Issue 2 of Wound Practice & Research (June 2025), this narrative review by Mark G. Rippon, Alan A. Rogers, and Karen Ousey explores the growing global challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and its implications for wound care. The article underscores the urgency of implementing robust antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) strategies in both acute and chronic wound management.
Key Highlights:
- Rising Threat of AMR: The misuse and overuse of antibiotics have contributed to rising resistance in wound pathogens, particularly in biofilm-associated infections that are difficult to eradicate.
- Core Elements of Stewardship: AMS programs emphasize the judicious use of antimicrobials—optimizing drug selection, dosage, treatment duration, and administration route to reduce resistance and improve outcomes.
- Biofilm Considerations: Biofilms in chronic wounds complicate treatment due to their tolerance to antibiotics and host defenses, reinforcing the need for tailored AMS approaches in wound care settings.
- Alternative Strategies: The review discusses the role of antimicrobial dressings, bacteriophage therapy, and novel bioengineered compounds as potential tools to reduce reliance on systemic antibiotics.
- Global AMS Initiatives: Effective stewardship requires a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating surveillance, diagnostic stewardship, prescribing audits, and education at all levels of care.
As wound-related infections continue to evolve, the integration of AMS principles into clinical practice is critical to sustaining effective treatment options and minimizing the spread of resistance.
Keywords:
Mark G. Rippon,
Alan A. Rogers,
Karen Ousey,
antimicrobial resistance,
antimicrobial stewardship,
chronic wound infection,
biofilm,
antimicrobial dressing