Infection prevention in combat-related injuries

Abstract

Wound infections play an important role in the morbidity and mortality of service members injured in combat. The exigent and often long road to recovery can be complicated by healthcare-associated infections caused by multidrugresistant organisms. The outcome is not only financially taxing but also can be life threatening. This Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) will provide the reader with a brief overview of this topic, easy and equitable strategies to implement, and significantly reduce the exposure and possible contamination and spread of life threatening organisms in combat wounds. The table and guidance will provide easy step-wise approach in management of different challenging scenarios to help control spread of infection down range and at every level of medical treatment facility involved in patient transport to the ultimate institution.