Clinical and Economic Impact of Wound Care Using a Polyurethane Foam Multilayer Dressing

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To study the impact of a newly introduced dressing on efficiency and quality of care in routine clinical practice in a Spanish community setting. DESIGN AND SETTING An ambispective multicenter observational study was conducted in 24 primary care centers and 6 nursing homes in 4 different Spanish regions. The study was carried out between November 2017 and March 2019. PATIENTS AND INTERVENTION A total of 128 wounds in 94 patients (primary care, n = 79; nursing home, n = 15) were analyzed before and 4 weeks after switching to the study dressing. OUTCOME MEASURES Frequency of dressing changes; secondary outcomes were change in the mean wound area and weekly cost and patient and provider satisfaction. MAIN RESULTS The mean number of dressing changes was significantly reduced with the study dressing from 3.14 ± 1.77 changes per week to 1.66 ± 0.87 ( P < .001), a 47.1% reduction in frequency. Wound area significantly reduced from 9.90 ± 19.62 cm 2 to 7.10 ± 24.33 cm 2 . In addition, a 58.7% reduction in weekly costs was achieved with the intervention. Patients and providers agreed that their satisfaction with wound care improved. CONCLUSIONS The use of the study dressing in routine clinical practice could lead to a major improvement in both efficiency and quality of wound care. Its use could reduce wound care-related costs through improvements in healing and a reduced frequency of dressing changes. It also enhanced the wound care experience from the perspective of both patients and providers.

The clinical efficacy of collagen dressing on chronic wounds: A meta-analysis of 11 randomized controlled trials

“…Accelerating wound healing can be interpreted as reducing society's financial expenditure, as it can reduce the likelihood of incapacity. Simultaneously, it also cuts costs by declining the frequency of dressing changes ( 52 ). A previous study demonstrated adding a collagen-containing dressing for treatment DFU management could reduce cost by 22% (from £2,897 to £2,255 per patient) compared with standard care alone ( 53 ).…”

Emerging treatment strategies in wound care

“…Wound management costs include supplies and dressings (15%‐20%), nursing time (30%‐35%), and hospitalisation (more than 50%) 5‐7 . Frequent dressing changes increase the cost of wound care.…”

“…Wound management costs include supplies and dressings (15%‐20%), nursing time (30%‐35%), and hospitalisation (more than 50%). 5 , 6 , 7 Frequent dressing changes increase the cost of wound care. Therefore, use of dressings that reduce the need for cleansing and debridement of wounds and are clinically more effective, are of a priority.…”

Semi-interpenetrating Polyurethane Network Foams Containing Highly Branched Poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) with Vancomycin Functionality

“…29 Also, the use of PU foams led to reduced frequency of dressing changes and improved healing. 30 An example of early stage work using PU foams as wound dressings included incorporation of antimicrobial agents such as silver 31 or boric acid particles. 32 Here, we show, for the first time, how a branched polymer can become immobilized during the network forming and foam blowing process to form a stable S-IPN foam material.…”

“…Hydrophilic PUFs offer some advantages including retention of extrudate . Also, the use of PU foams led to reduced frequency of dressing changes and improved healing . An example of early stage work using PU foams as wound dressings included incorporation of antimicrobial agents such as silver or boric acid particles …”