Wound care


traumatic wounds and chronic wounds (such as venous leg ulcers, pressure ulcers and diabetic foot ulcers).15


their ability to manage bioburden safely, while also supporting AMS strategies. DACC-coated dressings can be particularly


valuable when reducing the risk of an infection developing in wounds, or reducing the bacterial load in wounds with delayed healing. In these situations, the physical removal of microorganisms offers a practical, low-risk method of supporting wound progression while avoiding unnecessary antimicrobial use.


Evidence from practice NHS experience shows how DACC-coated, bacteria-binding dressings can make a meaningful difference to recovery after Caesarean section, as detailed in the case study published by NHS Supply Chain.16


SSIs are a


well-recognised complication of Caesarean surgery, carrying risks such as antibiotic use, unplanned hospital visits and delayed healing. With Caesarean rates rising and antimicrobial resistance becoming a growing concern, finding safer, non-biocidal ways to reduce infection has become increasingly important.17 At Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, maternity staff introduced Essity’s Leukomed Sorbact, a DACC-coated postoperative dressing for all Caesarean patients as part of a year- long improvement project.16


The dressing


was applied in theatre and kept in place for several days, replacing the standard dressing previously used. No other changes were made to the clinical pathway. The results were significant. The Trust saw


a 38% reduction in SSI rates and a 31% drop in SSI-related readmissions. This meant that there were fewer women needing antibiotics, resulting in a 30% reduction in antibiotic use for the women readmitted. These improvements also translated into notable cost savings, with £49,750 identified in savings for the Trust directly and a further £234,784 in associated system-wide savings. This evaluation shows how non-biocidal,


physical-action dressings, such as Essity’s Leukomed Sorbact, which uses DACC technology, can support safer healing, ease pressure on hospital and community teams, and offer patients a more positive experience.


Moving towards a more sustainable approach to wound care The evidence is increasingly clear: reducing unnecessary biocide use in wound care is one of the most meaningful steps clinicians can


This breadth of application reflects


take to strengthen Antimicrobial Stewardship, protect patients and reduce avoidable pressure on overstretched services. Silver dressings have and can continue to play an important role when used appropriately, but routine or prolonged use is difficult to justify in the context of rising AMR, growing system costs and the availability of safer alternatives. A sustainable approach begins with more


deliberate decision-making. That means regularly reassessing the use of silver, ensuring antimicrobial exposure is proportionate to clinical need, and distinguishing between situations where an active antimicrobial is truly required and those where bacterial load can be managed effectively without biocides. Non-biocidal, physical-mode dressings such


as DACC offer an important opportunity to recalibrate this balance. By physically binding


RDR554 RADAR - A4 Advert Design V3.pdf 1 17/12/2025 10:10:24


and removing microorganisms, rather than attempting to kill them, they allow clinicians to manage bioburden safely, while preserving the wound environment and avoiding the collateral effects associated with antimicrobial release. The experience at Barking, Havering and


Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust demonstrates what this shift can help achieve in practice: fewer complications, smoother wound progression, less antibiotic use and a measurable reduction in demand for follow-up care. Of course, for wound care teams, embracing


a more sustainable model does not hinge solely on clinical decision-making; it also depends on procurement pathways that make other technologies readily available. To support AMS in practice, healthcare organisations need purchasing frameworks that prioritise evidence-based, non-biocidal options alongside


IN PATIENT SAFETY Some of the benefits our partners have seen since implementing Radar Healthcare:


SUPPORTING CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT


C M Y CM MY CY CMY K 90% 3000%


An increase of over


of sites are now rated Good or Outstanding by the CQC


up from


70% in 2020


since using


Radar Healthcare for patient feedback


We are proud to support organisations achieve measurable impact. Helping teams identify risk earlier, strengthen learning and embed safer care leads to improve patient safety.


Audit compliance


increased with completions at


From 12 systems to


See how we can help you:


90% 1


March 2026 I www.clinicalservicesjournal.com 39


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