Effect of Polyhexamethylene Biguanide Solution on Bacterial Load and Biofilm in Venous Leg Ulcers: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) solution as a wound cleanser on bacterial load and bacterial biofilm in venous leg ulcers. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: The target population was adults attending the dermatology outpatient clinic of the Clinical Hospital of the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The sample comprised 44 patients with venous leg ulcers recruited over a 6-month period. METHODS: Participants were divided into 2 groups: the intervention group had their wounds cleansed with PHMB, and the control group had their wound cleansed with a 0.9% saline solution. Tissue fragments of the wounds were collected for bacteriological analysis; transmission electron microscopy was used to identify the presence of biofilm. RESULTS: The bacterial load was reduced in both groups compared to baseline values; no significant difference was found when groups were compared. Correlation analysis between wound duration (months), wound area (cm²), necrosis (%), variables, and bacterial count (colony forming units [CFUs]/g) after cleansing showed a significant relationship between area of the wound and CFUs/g (P = .0070, r = 0.51). Transmission electron microscopy revealed the presence of bacterial biofilm in the wounds after cleansing with both solutions. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that both PHMB and saline solution are effective in reducing the bacterial load in venous leg ulcers. However, bacterial biofilm was present after cleansing with both solutions. These findings provide important evidence regarding effectiveness of 2 common wound cleansers on bacterial presence in wounds.

Use of the Diffusion of Innovation Model in venous ulcers by specialized professionals.

OBJECTIVE:: To analyze the influence of the evidence and of the opinion of peers on the decisions of specialists regarding the agreement with recommendations for prevention and treatment of venous ulcer. METHODS:: This is a quasi-experimental study with two interventions: provision of studies with the evidence of the recommendations and provision of the opinion of peers, with sample of 73 specialized doctors and nurses. Delphi technique was used in the search for agreement, with three rounds. RESULTS:: The participants evaluated 82 recommendations organized into eight domains: evaluation of patient and wound; documentation of clinical findings; care with the wound and surrounding skin; indication of dressing; use of antibiotics; improvement of venous return and prevention of recurrence; referrals of patients; and professional training. The interventions resulted in statistically significant changes in four domains. CONCLUSION:: The interventions were able to change the opinion of participants, leading them to agreement regarding the recommendations, regardless of the level of evidence. OBJETIVO:: Analisar a influência das evidências e da opinião dos pares sobre as decisões dos especialistas quanto à concordância com recomendações para prevenção e tratamento de úlcera venosa. MÉTODO:: Estudo quase-experimental com duas intervenções: fornecimento de estudos com as evidências das recomendações e opinião dos pares, com amostra de 73 especialistas médicos e enfermeiros. Utilizou-se a técnica Delphi na busca de concordância, com 3 rodadas. RESULTADOS:: Os participantes avaliaram 82 recomendações organizadas em 8 domínios: avaliação do paciente e de sua lesão; documentação dos achados clínicos; cuidado com a lesão e pele ao redor; indicação da cobertura; uso de antibiótico; melhoria do retorno venoso e prevenção de recidiva; encaminhamentos dos pacientes; e capacitação profissional. As intervenções resultaram em mudanças estatisticamente signifi cativas em 4 domínios. CONCLUSÃO:: As intervenções foram capazes de modificar a posição dos participantes, levando-os para a posição de concordância a respeito das recomendações, independentemente do nível de evidência.

Use of the Diffusion of Innovation Model in venous ulcers by specialized professionals / Empleo del Modelo de Difusión de Innovación entre profesionales de salud en el tratamiento y la prevención de úlceras venosas / Utilização do Modelo Difusão da Inovação em úlceras venosas por profissionais especializados

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the influence of the evidence and of the opinion of peers on the decisions of specialists regarding the agreement with recommendations for prevention and treatment of venous ulcer. Methods: This is a quasi-experimental study with two interventions: provision of studies with the evidence of the recommendations and provision of the opinion of peers, with sample of 73 specialized doctors and nurses. Delphi technique was used in the search for agreement, with three rounds. Results: The participants evaluated 82 recommendations organized into eight domains: evaluation of patient and wound; documentation of clinical findings; care with the wound and surrounding skin; indication of dressing; use of antibiotics; improvement of venous return and prevention of recurrence; referrals of patients; and professional training. The interventions resulted in statistically significant changes in four domains. Conclusion: The interventions were able to change the opinion of participants, leading them to agreement regarding the recommendations, regardless of the level of evidence.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Analizar la influencia de evidencias y la opinión de dúos en las decisiones de los profesionales de salud sobre el consenso de las recomendaciones para prevenir y tratar las úlceras venosas. Método: Estudio cuasi-experimental con dos intervenciones: acceso a estudios con evidencias de las recomendaciones y de la opinión de los dúos, con el muestreo de 73 profesionales entre médicos y enfermeros. Se empleó el método Delphi para buscar un consenso, con tres turnos. Resultados: Los participantes analizaron 82 recomendaciones organizadas en ocho dominios: el examen del paciente y de su lesión; la documentación de los resultados clínicos; el cuidado de la lesión y de la piel alrededor; la indicación de la cobertura; el empleo de antibióticos; la mejora del retorno venoso y la prevención de recaídas; el traslado de los pacientes; y la capacitación profesional. Las intervenciones presentaron valores estadísticamente significativos en cuatro dominios. Conclusión: Las intervenciones produjeron cambios de opinión en los participantes, quienes llegaron a un consenso sobre las recomendaciones, independiente del nivel de evidencia.

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar a influência das evidências e da opinião dos pares sobre as decisões dos especialistas quanto à concordância com recomendações para prevenção e tratamento de úlcera venosa. Método: Estudo quase-experimental com duas intervenções: fornecimento de estudos com as evidências das recomendações e opinião dos pares, com amostra de 73 especialistas médicos e enfermeiros. Utilizou-se a técnica Delphi na busca de concordância, com 3 rodadas. Resultados: Os participantes avaliaram 82 recomendações organizadas em 8 domínios: avaliação do paciente e de sua lesão; documentação dos achados clínicos; cuidado com a lesão e pele ao redor; indicação da cobertura; uso de antibiótico; melhoria do retorno venoso e prevenção de recidiva; encaminhamentos dos pacientes; e capacitação profissional. As intervenções resultaram em mudanças estatisticamente signifi cativas em 4 domínios. Conclusão: As intervenções foram capazes de modificar a posição dos participantes, levando-os para a posição de concordância a respeito das recomendações, independentemente do nível de evidência.