Ointments/Wound care for Geriatric Patient

kbrn2002, ADN, RN · Nov 25, 2019

I'm a wound nurse for my facility and I've had pretty amazing results with Anasept. It's a clear antimicrobial wound gel that's applied to the wound bed and secured with an appropriate dressing for the wound being treated. I've seen first hand much improved outcomes with this product compared with some others that I've used.

Another plus since your OP indicates lack of access to medical care is an issue is it doesn't seem to cause the problems with breakdown of intact periwound skin like some other products, especially silver based one's can so if it's being applied in home settings there should be less potential for complications related to incorrect use of the product.

tinilouise · Nov 27, 2019

On 11/25/2019 at 10:09 AM, kbrn2002 said:
I'm a wound nurse for my facility and I've had pretty amazing results with Anasept. It's a clear antimicrobial wound gel that's applied to the wound bed and secured with an appropriate dressing for the wound being treated. I've seen first hand much improved outcomes with this product compared with some others that I've used.
Another plus since your OP indicates lack of access to medical care is an issue is it doesn't seem to cause the problems with breakdown of intact periwound skin like some other products, especially silver based one's can so if it's being applied in home settings there should be less potential for complications related to incorrect use of the product.

Thank you so much for your reply. I tried finding the product overseas and it isn't available and Amazon wont ship there either. Do you have any experience with zinc creams?

ThinkerBelleRN, BSN, RN · Dec 5, 2019

I have not gotten my WOCN certification yet, but I suggest you refer your patient for proper evaluation of the wound bed and surrounding tissue. If it is infected, patients will need antibiotics not just topical antimicrobials.

Zinc oxide creams are only for preventive/protective use.

Patient is geriatric so wound healing is also slowed. You mentioned he also has cancer and therefore will also be immunocompromised. These two factors alone affect wound healing.

michksmith14, MSN, RN · Dec 15, 2019

Anasept is all the rage these days, I'm surprised you can't get it on Amazon. What you can get on Amazon that is similar is Silvergel. I use it in my house instead of bacitracin or other antibiotic ointments because it is less irritating in the long-run. When I worked in the Wound Center, we used it for many people. If the wound is draining a lot, you will not want a gel, as too much moisture will not allow the wound to heal. If if is draining quite a bit, you can use Iodosorb, which is an iodine-based paste that also contains a starch-like substance that helps to absorb drainage. Ensure the patient is not allergic to iodine, of course. Keep clean and covered at all times! Get referral to Wound Care Specialist if at all possible.

Valcorie34, BSN, MSN, RN · Jan 30, 2020

I think there are a few things to consider before recommending a product. First if you are concerned about infection is there periwound redness, increase in discharge, odor, or warmth around the wound? It may be something that needs a wound culture especially post cancer treatment if the are immune compromised.

Second if the wound a surgical wound? Are the edges approximated? Is the wound bed dry or wet?

If the wound is dry you need to add moisture, anacept might be appropriate with secondary dressing of a gauze border dressing. If it is too wet you might try a foam dressing with silver (foam Ag) for moderate drainage or a silver alginate (soaks up heavy drainage). The silver works for infection but it is effective for about 5 days then doesnt do much so you should change it to a silver free dressing to save the patient money.

Keep in mind in you need a wound culture you want to do it before using anacept or silver. It would be good to have a provider assess it too.