Use of a Foam Adhesive Dressing on Chronic Wounds

Introduction:

Foam wound dressings are designed to manage wound fluid while maintaining a moist wound environment. This multi-centered study focused on patients with a variety of wounds being treated with an adhesive foam dressing* that is designed handle low to high exuding wounds. 

 Materials and Methods:

The wounds selected were low to high exuding, partial and full thickness dermal wounds that were currently being treated with a foam dressing and were expected to use the study foam dressing for four weeks.  Weekly dressing changes were recommended if possible, but more frequent changes were not restricted.  Up to 40 patients are expected to be enrolled when the study is complete.

 Results:

At the interim analysis, there were ten women and ten men who had completed the study from three different facilites (home care, long-term care and a wound clinic).  Ages ranged from 19 to 91 years.  Eleven wounds were pressure ulcers, 4 were venous ulcers, 4 were surgical and 1 was traumatic. Twelve (60%) wounds had moderate to high exudate levels, and seven (35%) had mild exudate levels. 

 There were 93 dressing changes occurring after 1 to 9 days of wear ( 27% had 2 or 3 days of wear and 57% had at least 5 days of wear) with 54% of the time, the clinician who removed the dressings stated the dressing could have remained on longer.  Ninety-Two percent of dressing changes were due to routine procedures, 4% were due to soiled dressing or leakage and 3% had missing reasons for dressing change.  For all 20 patients, the clinicians stated that the study dressing had met their weartime expectations. 

 Implications for Practice:

Meeting dressing wear time expectations may have a role in management of overall treatment costs.