Laboratory Research
Pressure injuries are a common chronic wound due to localised injury to the skin and/or underlying tissue, as a result of pressure, or pressure in combination with shear. The management of pressure injuries is critical as they are associated with high mortality rates, long hospital stays and increased treatment costs.
Silicone Foam dressing is suitable for use on patients with fragile skin. To demonstrate the products capabilities to be an effective pressure injury prevention device, several tests will be performed versus a market leading silicone foam.
Methods:
Pressure reduction capabilities assessed utilising a pressure sensing mat used to monitor the pressure profile of a steel ball visually and quantitatively with and without the Silicone foam dressing present.
Friction was tested using a co-efficient of friction method that measures the relationship between the force of friction between 2 objects and the normal reaction between the objects that are involved.
Sheer stress was analysed by applying a force parallel to the surface of the dressing while the base of the dressing stays stationary.
Moisture vapour transmission rate (MVTR) was analysed to determine the test device’s ability at moisture control.
Results:
The data generated demonstrates the product to significantly reduce the pressure, friction, and sheer on the underlying test surfaces, when compared to the results obtained in the absence of the dressing and against a market leading silicone foam.
The additional MVTR data demonstrates the dressing to have excellent fluid handing properties, comparable against a market leading silicone foam, which is an important factor associated with reducing maceration of healthy skin
Discussion:
Based on the testing performed Silicone foam dressing has demonstrated that it can control the moisture levels through MVTR and provide a reduction in the forces and stresses applied to skin, therefore providing effective pressure injury management and prevention to patient.
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