Use of a new silicone-gel adhesive hydrocellular foam dressing for pressure ulcer prevention and treatment

Bridgepoint Health is a 470 bed complex continuing care and rehabilitation facility located in the greater Toronto area with a high pressure ulcer prevalence rate. The patients usually have a number of medical conditions and comorbidities along with low Braden scores, making them at especially high risk for pressure ulcers.  This fall, a brand new silicone gel-adhesive hydrocellular foam dressing was trialed on 2 of the hospital units. Criteria such as ease of application, reapplication and removal, conformability, adherence, pain upon application and removal, ability to stay in place, and overall effectiveness were evaluated.  Fluid management and periwound skin were also assessed during each dressing change. Nurses found that the dressing, which has a silicone gel-adhesive, was very gentle for the periwound skin and was extremely easy to apply and remove. Patients also reported that there was no pain upon application or removal. Because of the new and innovative shapes and sizes, the dressing was able to stay in place for up to 7 days and the absorptive capacity was very high. Those patients with low Braden scores and extremely high potential for skin damage due to friction and shear that had the dressing in place for prevention, did not exhibit any skin breakdown during the trial period.  In conclusion, both patients and staff were very positive about the dressing which was effective at treating pressure ulcers, and reducing pressure and friction thus improving and maintaining skin integrity.  In addition, many nurses commented that they prefer the silicone gel-adhesive hydrocellular foam dressing to the foam dressing currently in use.