Evaluation of a Hydrogel to a 100% Manuka honey Sheet for Treatment of Sacral Pressure Ulcers in a Hospital and Long Term Care Facility

Abstract-Comparative Evaluation of a Hydrogel to a 100% Manuka Honey Sheet for treatment of sacral pressure ulcers in a hospital and long term care facility

Purpose

 It is often difficult for clinicians to determine which therapy is best for the patient. The purpose of our pilot project was to examine the difference in healing rates following the use of a hydrogel or a 100% Manuka honey sheet in sacral and buttocks pressure ulcers.

Methods

The pilot study setting was in an acute hospital with and a local skilled care nursing facility. This pilot study consisted of 9 patients with 12 preexisting sacral or buttocks wounds of varying stages, who were admitted to the hospital or nursing home. The wound care team evaluated these patients for inclusion in the study. Those patients with hospital acquired pressure ulcers were excluded.  Patients were enrolled in the study in the study for 14 days unless an adverse event occurred such as wound worsening or intolerance to the dressing. The patients were then randomized into a hydrogel or honey sheet group. The wounds were managed per standard of care with a silicone outer dressing. Wound measurements were taken three times a week.

Results

Of the hydrogel group, no change was seen in four of the five patients with an increase in wound size in one patient.

Of the four patients in the honey group, two patients healed. One patient decreased in size by 12% and the other one by 62%. One patient had to be withdrawn due to maceration.

Conclusion

Our preliminary results from our  pilot project show that hydrogel might not be an effective treatment for sacral some pressure ulcers. Honey appears to reduce wound size and heal wounds at a more rapid rate. Further study is warranted.