2005 Symposium on Advanced Wound Care | |
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Case Study
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Absorbent hydrofiber with ionic silver* heals stage III pressure ulcer Antje Bogart, RN, MSN, WOCN, Cleveland Clinic Homecare, Cleveland, Ohio Clinical Problem. Pressure ulcers on non ambulatory patients are difficult to heal. These wounds can be painful and costly. Home care agencies are facing these challenges daily with patients and their caregivers. Description of Past Clinical History and Management. A 65-year-old male was admitted to home care with a gluteal pressure sore. The patient was malnourished, had a history of vascular problems, a brain tumor and smoked 1 package of cigarettes daily. The wound was a stage III, measured L-7.0cm x W 3.1cm x D 1.7cm. The wound was infected with a large amount of foul smelling drainage. Current Clinical Approach. The WOC Nurse selected an ultra absorbent hydrofiber dressing with ionic silver for daily wound care to control the wound drainage and reduce the bioburden of the wound. Then the wound care was decreased to every other day, and the patient reported no further pain. Patient Outcome. The therapeutic effect of the ionic silver hydrofiber dressing healed the patient’s wound in 2.5 months with complete epithelialization of the affected area. * AQUACEL Ag Hydrofiber Dressing with Ionic Silver, ConvaTec, A Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, NJ |
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