Antimicrobial ≠ Antibiotic: Antimicrobial Doesn’t Mean Antibiotic

This episode clarifies the difference between antimicrobials (agents that act against a range of microorganisms) and antibiotics (drugs that specifically target bacteria), and explains related terms like antiseptics, contamination, colonization, and infection in diabetic foot ulcers. Dr. G reviews when topical antimicrobial dressings are appropriate, why they do not automatically replace systemic antibiotics, and how debridement, source control, and wound biology guide treatment decisions. Key takeaways focus on evaluating the wound, understanding product mechanisms, avoiding unnecessary antibiotics through stewardship, and choosing interventions that help heal the patient and protect the limb.