To be effective, what must antimicrobial cover dressings do?

For antimicrobial cover dressings to be effective, it is essential that they be directly in contact with the wound bed. This direct contact allows the antimicrobial agents within the dressing to interact effectively with the wound environment, ensuring that they can exert their action against potential pathogens. The contact provides continuous delivery of antimicrobial properties to the wound surface, which is critical in preventing infection and promoting healing.

In wound care, especially with infected or at-risk wounds, the efficacy of any antimicrobial treatment is significantly enhanced when the agents are localized at the site where they are needed most—the wound bed. This is crucial for ensuring that the dressing can reduce microbial load and support the healing process effectively. Other characteristics, such as absorptive capacity or material composition, may contribute to the overall management of the wound but are secondary to the necessity of direct contact for the antimicrobial action to take place.