Empowering Patients to Manage Their Own Recurrent MRSA Ulcers - An Innovative, Effective Solution

Introduction: Methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) often causes painful, inflamed, deep, narrow ulcers. Due to COVID-19, face-to-face wound management has been limited. And, because MRSA ulcers are often recurrent, many patients would prefer to manage these wounds without in-person visits for dressing changes. However, procedural pain and prescription needs often block this goal. All polymeric membrane dressings (PMDs) relieve pain and control inflammation, continuously clean wounds, and partner with the body to balance moisture throughout the wound. Because PMDs slide off easily and control inflammation, dressing changes are atraumatic and usually so pain-free that patients can perform them independently. Mesh-reinforced antimicrobial rope cavity filler remains intact, even when saturated, making it the logical PMD configuration choice for MRSA ulcers.

Methods: After an initial thorough saline irrigation, PMD silver rope cavity filler is cut-to-fit and inserted into the narrow tunnel. Excess rope is stored in a freezer zipper-bag for future dressing changes. Three example patients are described: a middle-aged man whose first two MRSA ulcers required hospitalization for IV antibiotics, and a young man and young woman, both of whose first MRSA ulcer required outpatient incision and drainage plus oral antibiotics.

Results: Each patient was empowered to provide their own MRSA ulcer care, reducing healthcare system burden. PMDs reduced pain and inflammation, allowing each patient to perform their own dressing changes. The infections consistently cleared quickly. Every ulcer each patient developed has closed without incident using mesh-reinforced PMDs. The two young patients no longer suffer from MRSA ulcers. The middle-aged patient manages all new ulcers promptly with PMDs, with no complications and consistently quick healing.

Conclusions: Using dressings that safely increase patient independence, with initial tele-guidance from a health care professional, decreased the burden of MRSA ulcers on the health care system while improving patient satisfaction. PMD silver rope cavity filler consistently provided an elegant solution for a frustrating, painful, wound problem: MRSA ulcers.