Clinical Study to Evaluate the Efficacy of a Silk-Like Fabric as Used in the Prevention of Pressure Ulcers

Immobility of patients in hospitals and long-term care facilities contributes to prolonged interaction between patients’ skin and support surfaces, increasing the potential for pressure ulcers. However, patients’ clothing and bed linens also have a significant influence on mechanical and environmental factors, such as pressure, shear, friction, and moisture, which contribute to the development of pressure ulcers. A clinical study, involving 1,427 at-risk patients over a 25-week time period, was conducted at Wesley Long Community Hospital in Greensboro, NC. The study evaluated the efficacy of a new silk-like synthetic fabric technology to reduce, prevent, and/or treat incidents of maceration, friction, and shearing in patients.  This technology was designed to provide a cleaner, drier, and smoother support surface than is possible with traditional cotton-blend hospital bedding and patient gowns. Cotton-blend hospital bed linens, underpads, and patient gowns were used as controls in comparison with items made with this new technology. Various parameters associated with skin tissue integrity were assessed over the study period and statistically analyzed. When using the silk-like items, average wounds developed per patient during their stay in the study units were reduced by 83% (P < .001), while average wounds per patient noted at discharge from the study units were reduced by 60% (P < .001).  The length of stay for patients using the silk-like items was also reduced by 6.4% (P=.08). The results obtained from this clinical study demonstrated that the synthetic fabric technology has the potential to significantly prevent  pressure ulcers by controlling the microclimate (moisture, shear, and friction) between patients’ skin and support surfaces. Also, it has the potential to contribute to better healthcare outcomes and lower overall system costs by lowering healthcare costs at rehabilitation units and nursing homes, reducing the number of at-risk patients returning to hospitals.