Anti-Microbial Stewardship

Effective strategies include those that raise awareness of antibiotic overprescribing and those that enhance diagnosis of infection, such as fluorescence imaging (MolecuLight)

High diagnostic accuracy to detect elevated bacterial loads in perineal wounds

The sensitivity was 83%, specificity was 90%, and the PPV was 92%

In 33.3% of patients prescribed systemic antibiotics, no CSS were present. Prescribing patterns did not correlate with bacterial load

Reliance on CSS to diagnose clinically significant bacterial burden in chronic wounds leads to the haphazard use of antimicrobials

Improved methods of identifying bacterial burden and infection (e.g. MolecuLight) are needed to enhance antimicrobial stewardship efforts in wound care 

Fluorescence imaging aids antimicrobial stewardship by supporting evidence-based decision-making at the point of care

Also increased communication, enhanced efficiency, and improved continuity of care between wound care providers and hospital sites

Reliance on CSS to diagnose clinically significant bacterial burden in chronic wounds leads to the haphazard use of antimicrobials

Improved methods of identifying bacterial burden and infection are needed to enhance antimicrobial stewardship efforts in wound care

MolecuLight i:X can provide utility in point-of-care detection of elevated bacterial burden  

Fluorescence imaging was used to meet Joint Commission guidelines for an antimicrobial stewardship program

Combined with clinical examination of signs and symptoms of infection, the MolecuLight imaging procedure improves the clinician’s ability to diagnose infection

Antimicrobial stewardship will soon become part of standard wound center reporting