Wound Infection

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

A wound infection is when bacteria enter a break in the skin.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

RISKS:

• Wound treatment may be very painful and put you at risk of bleeding. You may have an allergic reaction or develop kidney problems with long-term use of strong antibiotics. A scar may form on your skin as it heals. Even with treatment, the infection may not completely heal, or may come back.
  
  
• If left untreated, the infection may spread to other parts of the body. This may lead to loss of a body part or function, and can be life-threatening.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Informed consent

is a legal document that explains the tests, treatments, or procedures that you may need. Informed consent means you understand what will be done and can make decisions about what you want. You give your permission when you sign the consent form. You can have someone sign this form for you if you are not able to sign it. You have the right to understand your medical care in words you know. Before you sign the consent form, understand the risks and benefits of what will be done. Make sure all your questions are answered.

Medicines:

You may be given the following medicines:

• Antibiotics: This medicine is given to help treat or prevent an infection caused by bacteria.
  
  
• Medicines to treat pain, swelling, or fever: These medicines are safe for most people to use. However, they can cause serious problems when used by people with certain medical conditions. Tell caregivers if you have liver or kidney disease or a history of bleeding in your stomach.

Tests:

• Blood tests: You may need blood taken to give caregivers information about how your body is working. The blood may be taken from your hand, arm, or IV.
  
  
• Bone scan: This is a test done to look at the bones in your body. The bone scan shows areas where your bone is diseased or damaged. You will get a radioactive liquid, called a tracer, through a vein in your arm. The tracer collects in your bones. Pictures will then be taken to look for problems. Examples of bone problems include fractures (breaks) and infection.
  
  
• CT scan: This test is also called CAT scan. An x-ray machine uses a computer to take pictures of bones, muscles, blood vessels, and organs near your wound.
  
  
• MRI: Caregivers use these pictures of the tissues around your wound to look for other problems or infection.
  
  
• X-rays: Caregivers use the pictures to look for broken bones, other injuries, or objects stuck in the skin.
  
  
• Wound sampling and culture: Fluids or a small piece of tissue are taken from your wound and sent to the lab for tests. This helps caregivers learn what kind of infection you have and what medicine is best to treat it.

Treatments:

• Cleansing: This may be done by rinsing the wound with sterile water. Germ-killing solutions may also be used.
  
  
• Debridement: Debridement is surgery to clean the wound and remove objects, dirt, or dead skin and tissue. Caregivers may cut out the damaged areas in or around the wound. Wet bandages may be placed inside the wound and left to dry. Other wet or dry dressings may also be used. Caregivers may also drain the wound to clean out pus.

Learn more about Wound Infection (Inpatient Care)