Transparent Film Bordered Hydropolymer Gel Dressing to Manage Skin Tears

Introduction:   The case series involved eight traumatic skin tears on patients receiving nursing care from a community home health care agency. The goal was to evaluate the ease of application, removal, exudate management, conformability and the healing progress when using a new transparent bordered hydropolymer gel dressing with traumatic skin tears.

Method: The new transparent film bordered hydropolymer gel pad which is designed to protect against moisture, bacteria and outside contaminants was applied in all eight cases and changed twice weekly. The absorbent hydropolymer ensures the optimal moisture level, the thin film allows for conformability and patient comfort, and the transparency allows for visual assessment of the wound without disrupting the wound healing process. Eight partial and full thickness skin tears were used in this case series. Five of the skin tears were located on the arms, two were on the lower extremities, and one was on the back Assessments, photographs, and measurements were recorded with each dressing change, twice weekly until healed

Results: .  All eight skin tears were healed with twice weekly dressing changes over a period of 2.5 weeks to 6 weeks with an average healing time of 2.5 weeks.  

Conclusion:   The transparent film bordered hydropolymer gel dressings were clinically effective managing eight traumatic skin tears to healing.  The dressings provided an easy, conformable, comfortable dressing change that promoted healing of eight traumatic skin tears in a home health care setting. The transparency allowed for quick assessment for early detection of infection without disrupting wound healing.