ALLEVYN LIFE

As well as its use in the treatment of wounds, ALLEVYN LIFE dressings can also be used as part of a multi-faceted pressure ulcer pressure protocol¹

Pressure ulcers can be costly to both patients and the healthcare system. From a patient perspective, pressure ulcers can cause pain and restrict activity. They may also lead to increased hospitalisation, and there is an increased risk of infection with the breakdown in skin integrity. Pressure ulcers can impact patient quality of life and wellbeing.

For healthcare facilities, complications such as pressure ulcers may increase total treatment costs as well as lead to increased length of hospital stays and associated costs^2,3.

Increased focus on the prevention of avoidable pressure ulcers has resulted in a drive to implement comprehensive pressure ulcer prevention protocols, and the publication of global guidelines on pressure ulcer prevention⁴.

ALLEVYN LIFE dressings, with their multi-layered design incorporating hydrocellular foam, a hyper-absorber lock away core and a protective masking layer, are designed to help redistribute pressure⁵ and can be used as part of a comprehensive pressure ulcer prevention protocol to help prevent pressure ulcers¹.

In a recent evaluation in the acute care ICU of Eskenazi Health, Indianapolis, US, ALLEVYN LIFE was used as part of a comprehensive pressure ulcer prevention protocol consistent with International guidelines.*  Programme components also included use of Braden scores, a revised skin care protocol, and fluidized repositioners.  Extensive efforts were made to educate and motivate staff and encourage them to be more proactive in detecting patients at risk of hospital-acquired pressure ulcers.  Implementation of pressure ulcer prevention protocol, with a focus on adherence to protocols for patient care, resulted in:

• A reduction in the incidence of pressure ulcers by 69% (n=17; 3% of patients in 2013 vs n=45; 10% of patients in 2011)
• An estimated potential cost saving of approximately $1 million

*  Following planning for and initial implementation of some programme components in 2012, the prevention programme was fully implemented in 2013.  ALLEVYN LIFE dressings were included in the prevention protocol from April 2013.

Download the research study

References

1 Brendle T. Preventing sacral pressure ulcer development in the surgical patient population. Poster presented at OR manager Conference 2015. 
2 Santamaria, N. et al., The cost-benefit of using soft silicone multilayered foam dressings to prevent sacral and heel pressure ulcers in trauma and critically ill patients. International Wound Journal, 2013. 
3 Vanderwee, K., et al.  Pressure ulcer prevalence in Europe: a pilot study. Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice, 13: 227–235.  2007
4 National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel, European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel and Pan Pacific Pressure Injury Alliance. Prevention and Treatment of Pressure Ulcers: Clinical Practice Guideline. Emily Haesler (Ed.) Cambridge Media: Osborne Park, Western Australia; 2014.
5 Data on File report DS/15/217/R Oct 2015, L. Daubney. Pressure transmission testing

Global guidelines recommend the use of dressings to prevent pressure ulcers¹ 

“Consider applying a polyurethane foam dressing to bony prominences (e.g., heels and sacrum) for the prevention of pressure ulcers in anatomical areas frequently subjected to friction and shear”.

ALLEVYN LIFE has a multi-layer design and has been shown to redistribute pressure (in-vitro)².

Key features include:

• Comfortable⁷ and designed to conform to the body^8,9
• Can be lifted and reposoitioned to allow regular skin inspection³
• Stays in place without the need for secondary retention³
• Available in quadrilobe, heel and sacrum shapes

References

1 National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel, European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel and Pan Pacific Pressure Injury Alliance. Prevention and Treatment of Pressure Ulcers: Clinical Practice Guideline. Emily Haesler (Ed.) Cambridge Media: Osborne Park, Western Australia; 2014.
2 Data on File report DS/15/217/R Oct 2015, L. Daubney. Pressure transmission testing
3 Data on File report GMCA-DOF/08-April 2016, A. Rossington. Product performance of the next generation ALLEVYN LIFE.
4 Data on File Report DS/15/025/R- May 2016, L. Daubney. Physical testing ALLEVYN LIFE Gen2.
5 Data on File DS/16/061R.- Feb 2016, E. Mumby. Subjective comparison of masking ability of ALLEVYN LIFE Gen2
6 Data on File Report DS/14/303/R.- April 2016, K.Earl. Wound model testing of ALLEVYN LIFE Gen2 using horse serum
7 Hurd T, Gregory L, Jones A, Brown S. A multi-centre in-market evaluation of ALLEVYN Gentle Border. Wounds UK. 2009;5(3):32-44.
8 Data on File GMCA-DOF-09 An open, prospective, randomised, comparative study to compare the performance of ALLEVYN Gentle Border Multisite with an alternative silicone adhesive dressing.
9 Data on File GMCA-DOF-10 An open, prospective, randomised, comparative volunteer trial to compare the performance of silicone adhesive dressings.

Evidence for the use of ALLEVYN LIFE dressings as part of a multi-faceted pressure ulcer prevention protocol is growing.

Use of a comprehensive pressure ulcer prevention program to reduce the incidence of hospital-acquired pressure ulcers in an intensive care unit setting – summary¹

Katie Swafford, MSN, RN, CNS-BC, CCRN, Rachel Culpepper, RN, BSN, CCRN, Christina Dunn, RN, BSN.

Hospital Acquired Pressure Ulcers (HAPUs) are costly and preventable complications. The study from Eskenazi Health shows the results when an acute care ICU implemented a multi-faceted pressure ulcer prevention protocol consistent with international guidelines, which eventually included ALLEVYN LIFE dressings placed on heel and sacral locations. The goal was to reduce incidence of pressure ulcers by 50% compared to the period prior to implementation.

Positive patient outcomes: The use of a new silicone adhesive hydrocellular foam dressing for pressure ulcer prevention and treatment²

Beth Clarke, RN, Msc(A), MBA, CWOCN

Pressure ulcers are a significant issue for patients across all care settings globally and most hospital acquired pressure ulcers are preventable when effective risk assessment is matched with appropriate interventions. This study outlines the results at Bridgepoint Active Healthcare hospital in Toronto, following the implementation of ALLEVYN Life as an addition to its existing pressure ulcer prevention protocol within the neurological care unit and for wound management in the medical activation unit.

Preventing Sacral Pressure Ulcer Development in the Surgical Patient Population³

Timothy A. Brendle, MS, RN, CNOR, NE-BC

It is estimated that 23% of hospital acquired pressure ulcers are the result of the patient undergoing a surgical procedure. This study outlines the results at Ashley River Tower where a silicone hydrocellular foam sacral dressing was implemented within the perioperative area as part of an overall pressure ulcer prevention program.

 Evaluation of a new silicone gel-adhesive hydrocellular foam dressing as part of a pressure ulcer prevention plan for ICU patients⁴

Charlotte Lisco, BSN, RN, CWON

The use of foam dressings as part of a pressure ulcer prevention protocol is gaining traction in the US. The aim of this study was to evaluate a new silicone-adhesive hydrocellular foam dressing (ALLEVYN LIFE) as part of a comprehensive pressure ulcer prevention plan to reduce sacral/coccyx pressure ulcers in a 24 bed ICU.

References

1 Swafford K, Culpepper R, Dunn C. Use of a comprehensive program to reduce the incidence of hospital-acquired pressure ulcers in an intensive care unit. AJCC. 2016;25(2):152-155.
2 Clarke B. Positive patient outcomes: The use of a new silicone adhesive hydrocellular foam dressing for pressure ulcer prevention and treatment. Poster presented at CAET 2013. 
3 Brendle T. Preventing sacral pressure ulcer development in the surgical patient population. Poster presented at OR manager Conference 2015.
4 Lisco C. Evaluation of a new silicone gel-adhesive hydrocellular foam dressing as part of a pressure ulcer prevention plan for ICU patients. Poster presented at 2013 WOCN Society Conference.

Pressure Ulcer Prevention – Quick reference guide

ALLEVYN LIFE OR Positioning Guide