t
TISSUE VIABILITY
the ability to release moisture from the outer section of the dressing, or an impermeable dressing, will all help to reduce moisture on the skin.12 Applying a dressing before a wound has developed may seem counterintuitive for many, so the consensus document outlines the key indicators for spotting when to apply dressings.
l Immobility: Is the patient immobile? Either because of a severe illness, neurological disease, frailty or sedation.
l Planned immobility: Will the patient undergo a procedure that requires immobility for longer than two to three hours?
l Loss of sensation which leads to a reduction in movement: Is the patient undergoing a procedure which will result in a loss of sensation which will last more than two to three hours and will prevent spontaneous movement in response to pressure?
l Reduced or restricted mobility: Is the patient weak and likely to drag their limbs when moving across surfaces?
l Medical devices and securements: Will the patient be using a medical device for a prolonged period which is likely
Acquiring a pressure ulcer in a hospital setting unnecessarily lengthens a patients’ hospital stay by five to eight days.
Diagrammatic representation of a multi-layer foam dressing with Safetac (Mepilex Border Sacrum).
to increase pressure or moisture and cannot be repositioned easily?
l Scarring due to previous pressure ulcers: Does the patient have scarring as a result of a previous pressure ulcer?
If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then consideration should be given to using a dressing for pressure ulcer prevention.12 It is such a simple change in mindset, but the results could be transformative.
Act early, benefit later
It might seem that using a dressing before a wound develops is a waste of a product and a needless expense. Of the 23 clinical studies reviewed in the WUWHS consensus document, the majority showed significant decreases in pressure ulcer occurrence following the prophylactic use of dressings. A substantial proportion of the scientific and clinical evidence supporting the use of prophylactic dressings relates specifically to multi-layer polyurethane foam dressing with Safetac (Mepilex Border Sacrum and Mepilex
Border Heel) from Mölnlycke Health Care.12 Spending a little more at the beginning will lead to significant savings later as the cost of treating pressure ulcers is 3.6 times the cost of preventing them.13
Additionally,
a patient without a pressure ulcer requires less time in hospital. Currently 20-25% of hospital beds are occupied each day by pressure ulcer patients, and 60-80% of these patients acquired their ulcer in hospital.14
Reducing a patient’s hospital
stay improves their experience and crucially can result in significant cost savings.15 Preventing pressure ulcers does require change, but will result in reduced costs and improved patient outcomes.16
This
new consensus document from WUWHS should be the go-to guide for pressure ulcer prevention as it contains clear advice on the issue as well as tips for selecting and using dressings (replicated in Table 1).12 The stage is now set for the medical profession to make the changes needed to stop the pressure ulcer once and for all.
1 Vapour-permeable and waterproof backing film
2 Superabsorbant core
3 Non-woven spreading layer
4 Hydrophilic foam layer
5 Soft silicone (Safetac) contact layer
E ectively part of the routine Encourage compliance and discourage infections with octenisan®
octenisan octenisan® ® wash lotion is an antimicrobial hair and body wash eff ective against
a broad range of micro organisms whilst caring for the skin. octenisan®
of antimicrobial body wash. To fi nd out more about octenisan®
or any
of our other infection control products, call us on 0114 254 3500 or visit
www.schulke.co.uk
wash mitts are a fast, eff ective and convenient application
MARCH 2017
WWW.CLINICALSERVICESJOURNAL.COM I
61
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72
