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Case Study
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Case series of acceptability and efficacy of a silver foam dressing* Anne LeMesurier, RN, BScN, Wilma Sterling, RN, CRRN, David H. Keast, MSc, MD, FCFP, Parkwood Hospital, St. JosephÕs Health Care London, Canada Introduction.Dressing characteristics such as ease of use, absorption, comfort, and wear time are important considerations for the clinician. Many dressings combine several features for simplicity, longer wear time, anti-microbial action, and cost effectiveness..Purpose:.To evaluate clinician rated acceptability and efficacy of a newer silver foam dressing* on light to moderately draining shallow wounds..Methods:.Ten patients, 18 years of age or older, who attended an outpatient wound management clinic and who consented to participate were enrolled in the study. Shallow, mild to moderately exudating wounds of any etiology were included. Clinicians rated dressing performance (wear time, exudate management, conformability and ease of application) over a two-week period. Assessments were made at baseline, day 7, and day 14. Wound surface areas by acetate tracing and digitization (Visitrakª Smith & Nephew) were obtained at baseline and day 14. Participants rated pain on a 4-point scale at all assessments. Clinician overall satisfaction was rated at day 14..Results: .One patient withdrew from the study. Nine results were analyzed. Mean reduction in wound surface area from baseline to day 14 was 59.3%. Seven out of nine participants rated no pain upon removal of the dressing. Clinicians rated conformability as comparable to similar dressings. Ease of removal and exudate management were rated as better. .Conclusion:.The dressing performed well in all assessed parameters of pain, ease of use, conformability and exudate management. Mean reduction in wound surface area was better than expected. Overall clinicians rated the dressing as equivalent or superior to comparable antimicrobial foam dressings..Acknowledgement: .This study was funded by a grant from Smith & Nephew, Hull, Great Britain..*Acticoat Moisture Control (Smith& Nephew, Key Largo, Florida) |
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