References
A multicentre, observational evaluation of the product characteristics of two absorbent foam dressings
Abstract
Wound healing is an intrinsic and dynamic process. Wound exudate is a normal feature of wound healing; however, when there is insufficient or excessive production, or the composition of the exudate is harmful, wound healing may be compromised with resulting psychosocial and financial implications. Therefore, the management of exudate is essential for improved patient outcomes and in the prevention of future complications. The purpose of these studies, carried out in Germany and Poland, was to observe and to evaluate the clinical performance of Cutimed® Siltec® and Cutimed Siltec B on patients' wounds. Three visits (initial visit, dressing change visit and final visit) were scheduled and documented. In all, 129 patients took part in these studies and 150 wounds were treated. The results were pooled. Positive attributes of using these dressings included a decrease in exudate, intact wound margins and a decrease in pain during dressing changes. Clinicians and patients were satisfied with the product and rated the following parameters as ‘good’ to ‘very good’: wearing comfort, ease of application and removal, absorption and retention capacity, adaptability to the affected body part, absorption and retention capacity under compression. The results from this study suggest that Cutimed Siltec and Cutimed Siltec B absorbent dressings are beneficial in wound management due to the positive attributes, and clinicians and patients showed satisfaction with these dressings.
Wound care assessment, treatment and management are intrinsic and dynamic processes (Seckam, 2016; Wounds UK, 2018). Additionally, living with acute or chronic wounds has psychosocial consequences (Wounds International, 2012; Wounds UK, 2018). Guest et al (2015) suggested that the annual NHS cost of managing 2.2 million patients with wounds in 2012/2013 after adjusting for comorbidities was around £4.5–5.1 billion. Gray et al (2018) also proposed that expenditure might increase by more than 50% over the next 5 years. Guest et al (2017) also suggested that wound healing must increase by 1% per annum across all wound types to slow down the prevalence. If wound healing does not increase it has been estimated that an average clinical commissioning group/health board would spend £50 million on managing approximately 23 200 wounds and associated comorbidities (Guest et al, 2017). Subsequently, there are also financial implications for patients, wound care specialists and healthcare providers (Seckam, 2016). Treatment for surgical site infection in the UK has previously been estimated to cost between £814 and £6626 per patient (National Collaborating Centre for Women's and Children's Health, 2008). Hurd (2013) and Queen and Harding (2013) also highlighted the various global wound care dressing costs (Table 1).
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