Achieving Optimal Outcomes While Simultaneously Reducing Dressing Changes with Negative Pressure Wound Therapy

Introduction: Clinicians are challenging routine practices due to escalating healthcare costs.. Literature reports recommend dressing changes for negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) every 48 hours in noninfected wounds¹. Reductions in dressing changes have the potential to reduce costs and increase quality of life for patients.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of NPWT dressing changes on a bi-weekly schedule using a novel wound contact layer and low (75 mm Hg) negative pressure* applied continuously to the wound.

Method: A convenience sample of 5 patients was evaluated, three had midline abdominal wounds and two had pressure ulcers. The NPWT was applied bi-weekly and wounds were evaluated using digital planimetry**. Patients were queried regarding their experience and 4 patients had pain evaluated using a Likert Scale. One patient was excluded from pain evaluation due to quadriplegia.

Outcome: All patients had reductions of wound size on a bi-weekly NPWT dressing change using a novel wound contact layer and low (75 mm Hg) negative pressure applied continuously to the wound.  2 of 4 patients reported significant reductions in pain at dressing changes as compared to previously used methods (NPWT system using open-cell reticulated foam) and 2 patients reported no pain at time of dressing changes. Patients reported less anxiety and anticipatory pain and reduced pre-medication at time of dressing changes.

Conclusion: The use of a novel wound contact layer with low pressure continuous negative pressure to improve wound healing can be achieved on a bi-weekly basis resulting in reduced costs and improved quality of life.

* Engenex ® Advanced Negative Pressure Wound Therapy, ConvaTec, Skillman, NJ   Engenex is a registered trademark of Boehringer Technologies, LP.

** PictZar®, BioVisual Technologies, Elmwood Park, NJ.