Open Fracture Prophylaxis

Clinical features

• Fracture associated with a wound or a skin break

Investigations

• Swab from wound

Infection Control

Basic universal precautions

Treatment

CO-AMOXICLAV IV 1.2g 8 hourly

If true penicillin allergy:

CLINDAMYCIN IV 600mg 6 hourly

PLUS consider for a more unwell patient:

GENTAMICIN Dose as per calculator

Duration: 72 hours OR until skin closure

Check tetanus vaccination status and consider need for booster vaccine dose or tetanus immunoglobulin.