6282 Reducing HAC Pressure Ulcers with Foam Silicone Dressings

Melanie Hardy, BSN, RN, CWOCN, Denton Regional MEDICAL CENTER, WOUND, OSTOMY & CONTINENCE COORDINATOR, Denton, TX
Use of a silicone foam dressing to reduce the incidence of hospital acquired pressure ulcers in at risk patients has proven to be very effective in our acute care hopsital. Since 2009, we have reduced our rate of HAC pressure ulcers by 37% in all areas of the hospital by applying the silicone foam dressing as a prevention tool to at risk skin including over vulnuerable skin over the bridge of the nose with bipap masks, to protect ears with oxygen cannula use, and sacral area that is high risk. These dressings were identified with a "smiley face" and dated  to identify them as a prevention dressing, whereas if a wound or pressure is present these dressings were labeled with a "sad face" and dated. At the change of shift report all dressing allow the nurse to peel it back, assess the site and replace. These dressings along with staff involvment to prevent skin brkeakdown has proven to be very effective.