Silver bandage

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Ok, I hope this isn't a really dumb question so forgive me for not knowing anything about nursing yet, I start nursing school in January. Anyhow, I am taking a microbiology class and have just learned about what silver is and how it is used to treat infections. Well I found an article about the use of a silver bandage to be used for burn patients as it keeps bacteria away for 24 hours. Is this a new use for you or has it been around for a while? Thanks

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
Ok, I hope this isn't a really dumb question so forgive me for not knowing anything about nursing yet, I start nursing school in January. Anyhow, I am taking a microbiology class and have just learned about what silver is and how it is used to treat infections. Well I found an article about the use of a silver bandage to be used for burn patients as it keeps bacteria away for 24 hours. Is this a new use for you or has it been around for a while? Thanks

Hello, OURN83,:Melody:

Yes, there are dressings inpregnated with the metal. Has wonderful antibiotic properties.

Here is a link about it:

http://www.cummings.com/articles/nucryst.htm

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I guess I was thinking that was a new thing! I am supposed to do a quick, informal presentation about something related to bacteria and it has to be about something recent. Let me know if this is old news!

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
I guess I was thinking that was a new thing! I am supposed to do a quick, informal presentation about something related to bacteria and it has to be about something recent. Let me know if this is old news!

Hello, OURN83,:balloons:

The foam is relatively new, so, it is not old news there. But, silver has been known to have antibiotic-like properties for years. In fact, silver was utilized in wounds caused from burns centuries ago.

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doesn't silvadene have silver in it? if so, i would rather use the bandages. silvadene is soooooo messy!

suebird :p :p :p :p

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Actually, silver is supposed to be the new "buzzword" in wound care. It has been used on wounds forever but is making a comeback like many other "old" treatments (maggots, leeches, honey, etc). From what I can find, silver has a bacteriostatic, not bacteriocidal, property. The new V.A.C. silver impregnated foam should be out next year from what I hear. Hope this helps.

Mike

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Specializes in Critical Care, Cardiac Cath Lab.
The new V.A.C. silver impregnated foam should be out next year from what I hear. Hope this helps.

Mike

I just attended an inservice on WoundV.A.C. at my hospital and they have already started using the silver-impregnated foam for some patients. It's pretty amazing stuff!

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