CS14-078 Use of a Soft Silicone-Exudate Transfer Ag Dressing Under Compression May Improve Infected/Bioburdern-laden Wounds While Managing Exudate and Promoting Patient Comfort

Suzanne Koerner, RN, CWOCN, Mount Carmel West, Mount Carmel Health System, Columbus, OH and Diane Adams, RN, CWCN, Mount Carmel West, Columbus, OH
Use of a Soft Silicone-Exudate Transfer Ag Dressing Under Compression May Improve Infected/Bioburden-laden Wounds while Managing Exudate and Promoting Patient Comfort

Suzanne Koerner RN, CWOCN

Diane Adams RN, CWCN

Mount Carmel West

Columbus, OH

Problem:  3 patients with infected or bioburden-laden Lower Extremity exudating wounds, with pitting edema, and painful dressing changes. 

Patient  A: Admitted 7/13 with RLE MRSA abscess. 3+ pitting edema and surgical debridement. Copious serous drainage caused periwound maceration. Dressing changes very painful .

Patient B: Admitted 10/13 with RLE cellulitis, 3+ pitting edema and large ulceration distal to the knee that developed after blistering occurred following treatment with antibiotics. Purulent drainage caused periwound maceration.

Patient C: 90 year old with very fragile skin. Posterior leg wound with slough. Leg was edematous with serous drainage. Very painful when any dressing removed.

Past Treatment:

Patient A: Compression dressing* with Silver Hydrofiber*** .

Patient B: Non-adherent dressing and gauze, then compression dressing* with honey calcium alginate**** .

Patient C was placed in a Transparent** dressing and then a Soft Silicone dressing*****

Present Wound Care: All patients were treated with Soft Silicone-Exudate Transfer Ag Dressing over wounds with compression dressing for edema.

Patient Outcomes:  All wounds showed decrease in size with granulation. Patients reported significant decrease in pain during dressing changes. Decreased number of dressing changes due to length of time the Soft Silicone-Exudate Transfer Ag Dressing remained under compression. Exudate was transferred through dressing which improved periwound skin and edema decreased. Patient A was compliant with follow-up care without the need for pain medication. Patient B was happy that her wound was healing quickly and continued with follow-up care. Patient C stated how grateful she was that her skin wasn’t “being ripped off” with each dressing change.

*Unna Flex, Kerlix, Coban

** Tegaderm – 3M

***Aquacel Ag – Convatec

**** Medihoney Calcium Alginate – DermaSciences

*****Mepilex Foam