Use of a novel silicone-acrylic drape with negative pressure wound therapy in anatomically challenging wounds.

Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) utilises a polyurethane drape with acrylic adhesive over foam dressings to create a seal. In anatomically challenging areas, ancillary products are frequently used. Additionally, health care providers are unable to reposition the drape once placed. A novel hybrid drape consisting of polyurethane film with acrylic adhesive and silicone perforated layer has been developed to allow for repositioning after initial placement and easy removal. This six-patient case series evaluates the use of NPWT with hybrid drape over anatomically challenging wounds. Three males and three females were treated. Dressing changes occurred every 2 to 3 days. Drape application, repositioning, and ability to maintain a seal were evaluated. During application, the drape was repositioned 1 to 2 times without periwound skin irritation in 4/6 wounds. Prior to initial application, ancillary products were applied to help create a seal. However, by the second or third application, ancillary products were no longer used in 4/6 wounds. None of the dressing applications resulted in negative pressure seal leaks. In these patients, health care providers could reposition the hybrid drape after initial placement without periwound skin irritation and successfully create a negative pressure seal without ancillary products in anatomically challenging wound locations.

NHS Lanarkshire's leadership development programme's impact on clinical practice.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper is to explore the effect of a clinical leadership programme on senior clinicians within National Health Service Lanarkshire, in terms of key constituents for fostering leadership development, specific skills developed and impact this has had on clinical practice. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: A qualitative research design was employed over several stages, involving 44 senior clinical managers, with member validation substantiating findings and thematic analysis used to analyse data collected. FINDINGS: The programme's impact was evident in acknowledged change to participants' attitude, behaviour and performance with examples conveyed to demonstrate both the effect on clinical practice and perceived organisational benefits gained. The use of role play, scenario planning and enquiry-based learning approaches were deemed critical in achieving such change. RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS: Time constraints merited two different cohorts being examined simultaneously during the various stages of the programme. A longitudinal study is underway encompassing the evaluations of several cohorts through various stages of the programme to enable time-based comparisons to be made and enhance the rigour and scrutiny of the programme's impact on clinical practice. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The paper is foremost in determining structure and processes employed on the programme, specific leadership skills developed, subsequent effect on clinical practice and perceived organisational benefits gained but not necessarily contemplated by staff prior to embarking on the programme, such as the emergence of communities of practice.