Conventional foam dressings leave a gap between the wound bed and dressing, allowing exudate to pool. This may promote bacterial growth leading to increased risk of infection and subsequent development of biofilms.
Biofilms are clusters of bacteria and fungi embedded in the wound environment, which can form within 24 hours. Biofilms are difficult for the immune system and antibiotics to eradicate2.
New research shows that biofilms can be found both in the wound bed surface and in the tissue below the wound bed3. Its presence can lead to infection, inflammation and delayed healing4.