Initial Patient Outcomes with use of a Non-adherent Silver Foam Transfer Dressing: A Case Series

This  case series describes use of a novel non-adherent silver foam dressing that allows exudate transfer from wound surface to secondary dressing and may remain in place for two weeks. 

Patient A was 74 year old admitted with right leg pain, shortness of breath, chills.  The Wound, Ostomy and Continence (WOC) RNs  consulted for topical management.  Silver foam transfer foam dressing initiated October 29.  Patient A's pain score 10/10 October 29 diminished to 5/10 when silver foam transfer dressing initiated.  Once DVT ruled out, silver foam transfer dressing discontinued with silver alginate and compression initiated.

Patient B was 53 year old admittedwith fever of unknown origin.  He had history of DVT, abnormal inferior vena cava syndrome, unspecified clotting disorder.  When WOC RN consulted  December 27, bilateral lower extremities and scrotum had massive weeping edema.  Silver foam transfer dressing initiated.  December 30, wound on right lower extremity 23 x 18 x 0.5 cm.  January 4, wound epithelialized to 1.5 x 0.5 x 0.1cm. He was discharged January 5.

Patient C was 67 year old with necrotizing fasciitis.  Medical history included ESRD and diabetes.  Treated several weeks with negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) and underwent split thickness skin graft (STSG).  Donor site right thigh, recipient site left groin to thigh.  Postoperative dressing to donor site silicone foam dressing and to recipient site NPWT.  When original dressings changed, alginate was added April 16 to silicone foam at donor site due to drainage amount and silicone foam dressing placed to recipient site.  April 21, dressings were converted to silver foam transfer dressings.  April 26, patient stated her pain had gone from score of 5/10 or 6/10 to 0/10.

 Outcomes:  Silver transfer foam transfer dressing promotes decreased frequency of dressing changes by allowing exudates to pass through to secondary dressing.  This results in decreased pain and enhanced wound insulation to allow epithelialization.  Silver also aids in decreasing bacterial load.