Here - EWMA 2013

POSTER PRESENTATIONS
P 305
A NEW ANTI-BIOFILM DRESSING – A CLINICAL STUDY
Poster: Infection
Keith Harding 1
1 Cardiff University (Cardiff, United Kingdom).
Aim: Leg ulcers are a common and often difficult problem, they may take months to
heal, are often complicated by wound infection and cellulitis. This study assesses the
safety and performance of a new absorbent enhanced-antimicrobial silver dressing
(EASH) in VLU’s exhibiting clinical signs of infection.
Methods: Forty two patients with a VLU exhibiting 3 to 5 clinical signs of infection were
treated with EASH for 4 weeks followed by 4 weeks with AbsB non silver dressing.
Adverse events, patient pain at dressing change and dressing comfort were recorded.
Wound assessment included:
• Clinical signs of infection
• Wound improvement/size reduction
• Healing
Data was compared to a previous study with a similar protocol comparing AbsB with
silver (AbsAg) or a tulle gras with silver sulfate.
Results: The safety profile of EASH was similar to the silver dressings in the previous
study. Mean pain ratings decreased from baseline and over duration of use. Comfort
levels on application were scored as excellent and as acceptable on removal. For
wounds with ≥3 clinical signs of infection, progress was similar for all antimicrobial
dressing regimes, with all study groups showing improvement. For EASH, a sub-group
of clinically infected wounds (n=10, 5 clinical signs) was identified; all wounds showed
improvement, resolution of infection and 90% reduced in area by ≥40%.
Conclusion: The new dressing has a satisfactory safety profile. From the limited data it
is possible to suggest that EASH was beneficial when treating wounds where bacteria
are a significant problem.
POSTER: INFECTION
P 306
INTORODUCTION OF A PATHWAY FOR MANAGING WOUND INFECTION
Poster: Infection
Lorraine Grothier 1
1 Central Essex Community Services (Maldon, Essex, United Kingdom).
Aim: Rising costs associated with the use of antimicrobial wound care products were a
cause of concern for a community health care provider. To address this issue a new
pathway for the management of wound infection was created and introduced across the
organisation. The primary goal for the pathway was to promote clinicians confidence with
informed clinical decision making.
Method: The pathway was developed using best practice clinical evidence. It was
introduced within the organisation supported by an educational programme. The
pathway is included within the electronic patient record, which enables the capture of
wound infection data, monitoring effectiveness of treatment regimes. Spend and trends
on the use of antimicrobial products will be monitored continually via the electronic
formulary data.
Results: Feedback from clinicians indicates that the pathway has been useful in clinical
practice, informing decision making. Utilising the pathway has had a positive impact on
the management of challenging and chronic wounds at high risk of recurrence of
infection. Formulary data for the first month indicates a 25% reduction in spend on
antimicrobial products inclusive of the ordering of the new alternative products which
were introduced as part of the treatment pathways.
Discussion/Conclusion: Timely, appropriate use of antimicrobial products ensures that
patients avoid unnecessary pain and suffering and potential delayed wound healing.
Introducing a simple, colour coded pathway which characterises between high risk,
critical colonisation and infected wounds reduces confusion in decision making. This
ensures clinicians can treat and manage their patients confidently, safely and in
accordance with best practice.
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