Clinical evaluation of non-adherent contact layer and foam dressings with and without silver for the local management of acute and chronic wounds

Statement of the Problem/ Rationale When choosing an appropriate wound care dressing, bioburden, potential for wound healing and a reduction of pain to the patient must be considered. Non-adherence, ease of application and removal of the dressing, are all features that contribute to the potential for a wound to heal and the reduction of pain during dressing removal. A product evaluation was performed on acute and chronic wounds with contact layer and foam dressings developed using hydrocolloid particle technology with a petroleum base in a non-occlusive and non-adherent mesh. Methodology This is an open-label, non-randomized product evaluation of non-adherent contact layer and foam dressings with and without silver at 8 US sites. Study subjects were selected from the general population of patients with acute and chronic wounds for which a contact layer or foam dressing with or without silver would be appropriate. Specific questions were asked to obtain the clinicians’ perception of performance characteristics of the products. Results A total of 94 wounds were included in this product evaluation. Descriptive statistics of clinician perception of the ease of application, adherence to wound, and pain during removal of the contact layer and foam dressings were assessed. In addition, the overall clinical assessment of wound healing was discussed. Conclusion These non-adherent contact layer and foam dressings with and without silver were easily applied and removed with minimal to no adhesion to the wound bed. This may decrease patient pain during dressing removal and promote the wound healing process in the chronic and acute wounds observed in this product evaluation.