John Cockwill, MS, BS, CCRP, Smith & Nephew Wound Management Inc., Clinical Program Manager, 11775 Starkey Road, Largo, FL 33773
Dressing performance parameters help the clinician to match the function of the dressing to the needs of the wound, Ovington (2001). Performance is the way in which something functions, or the action for which a product is especially fit or employed, and several products are designed and suited for a specific phase of wound healing, or for specific wound conditions. Good examples are collagen dressings. Most collagen dressings are licensed for a range of wounds including: diabetic, venous and pressure ulcers; ulcers caused by mixed aetiologies; full and partial-thickness wounds; donor sites; abrasions; traumatic wounds and surgical wounds that have dehisced. However, collagen dressings are likely to be most effective if used when a wound is clean (debrided and free from infection), open and granulating. Collagen dressings are particularly appropriate for chronic wounds that show no healing progress.
A retrospective analysis involving over 40 clinicians was carried out in 27 facilities across the US. A total of 152 questionnaires were completed by the evaluation clinicians to capture their perception of the use of a new collagen matrix dressing*, in a variety of wound types. Over 20 different wound types were dressed with the new collagen matrix dressing*. The retrospective questionnaire consisted of a series of questions relating to the product performance of the new collagen matrix dressing*. The questions were subjective to that particular clinician and their own individual evaluation of the product and included the ease of application and removal, exudate management and integrity of the dressing. The results from 152 questionnaires were pooled and collated and will be presented in the full poster presentation and help to define the product performance characteristics of the dressing and its most effective application.
