The antimicrobial hydrogel wound dressing is a swellable polymer gel made from about 7-9% (wt/vol) polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), preferably 8.9%, about 0.1% (wt/vol) polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), and about 1-2% (wt/vol) agar, preferably 1%, the balance (about 90%) being distilled water, the foregoing contents being crosslinked by gamma radiation at a dose of about 30 kGy. Prior to crosslinking by gamma radiation, an effective amount of a pair of antibiotics is added to the gel at room temperature. The antibiotics include about 10,000 IU of polymyxin B sulfate, and about 5 mg neomycin per gram of gel. The polymyxin provides effective protection against various forms of gram negative microorganisms, and the neomycin is a broad spectrum antibiotic that provides protection against various forms of gram positive microorganisms. The hydrogel has sufficient mechanical strength for use as a wound dressing, and is capable of absorbing water up to 900% of its volume.

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