Pressure Ulcer Prevention

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.

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 pressure ulcer prevention protocol is growing, see some recent publications below.

Effectiveness of using a new polyurethane foam multi-layerdressing in the sacral area to prevent the onset of pressure ulcerin the elderly with hip fractures: A pragmatic randomised controlled trial¹      

Forni C, D’Alessandro F, Gallerani P, et al.

The results of a recently published study, by Professor Cristiana Forni, demonstrate that ALLEVYN LIFE, used prophylactically as part of a pressure ulcer prevention programme, can significantly reduce the incidence of sacral pressure ulcers in elderly hip fracture patients*.

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.

* Compared with standard prevention care alone.

References

1 Forni C, D’Alessandro F, Gallerani P, et al. Effectiveness of using a new poly-urethane foam multi-layer dressing in the sacral area to prevent the onset of pressure ulcer in the elderly with hip fractures: A pragmatic randomised con-trolled trial. Int Wound J. 2018;1–8.
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