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Guidelines
Soil Contamination Injuries

Soil Contamination Injuries

Routine Practices

Assess need for tetanus vaccine ± tetanus immune globulin

Common Pathogens

Mixed flora, including:

Gram negative enteric bacilli

Allergy Alternative

AND

Duration of Therapy

  • Duration depends on extent of injury and wound contamination
  • If adequate irrigation and debridement is performed, short courses of 3-5 days are recommended as prophylaxis
  • Prolonged prophylaxis does not reduce risk of infection, and may lead to selection of resistant pathogens
  • Consult ID for severe injuries or infected wounds