Bacterial influence is one of the most important factors in delayed healing, particularly in wounds that are healing by secondary intention. Best practice for controlling critical colonisation and infection has not been defined but systemic antibiotics are generally accepted as being the preferred choice for treating infection.

However, the widespread use of antibiotics in all branches of healthcare over the past 60 years has led to increased resistance and now there is a global imperative to restrict their use in order to protect their viability for the care of future generations.