Antimicrobial resistance is a global issue that is present in wound care, in part, due to the inappropriate use or overuse of dressings containing antimicrobials. As a result, the World Union of Wound Healing Societies (WUWHS) and a group of experts in the field of wound care collaborated on a Position Document titled “The Role of Non-medicated Dressings for the Management of Wound Infection” (WUWHS, 2020). The Position Document highlights the impact that the misuse and overuse of topical and systemic antimicrobials have on antimicrobial resistance worldwide. Non-medicated wound dressings (NMWDs) are an alternative to dressings that containing active antimicrobials, and are suitable for wounds at risk of infection and where biofilm is suspected. A webinar supported by Hartmann AG was broadcast on September 15, 2020 at the WUWHS 2020 online conference to launch the Position Document. The session covered the practical aspects of treating infection, inflammation and biofilm within antimicrobial stewardship practices to reduce the burden of antimicrobial resistance. The symposium closed with practical guidance for when and how to use NMWDs in practice, including case examples.
