Evaluation of a new composite dressing for the management of chronic leg ulcer wounds.

OBJECTIVES: A new composite dressing (Versiva, ConvaTec) combines three technologies: hydrocolloid, hydrofibre and a foam-film layer. This study aimed to assess the safety of the dressing in the management of patients with venous leg ulcers. Clinical performance was also assessed. METHOD: This multicentre, non-randomised, open-label, phase II study assessed the safety (via adverse-effect reporting) and performance, including weartime, absorption, dressing integrity, ease of use and wound progression, of Versiva. Up to 10 dressing changes were assessed within a five-week study period. RESULTS: In 75 dressing changes of 11 ulcers, the mean wear time was approximately five days. No or minimal leakage was observed in 81% of changes. In 93%, the dressing was 'very easy' to remove, with no trauma to surrounding skin. Most changes (77%) were painless. CONCLUSION: Versiva met or exceeded the investigators' expectations for exudate absorption, protection of peri-wound skin and reduction in wound pain and ulcer area. Healing or marked improvement was observed in 82% of leg ulcers within the five-week study. The relatively long wear-time of five days represents a cost-effective advantage for this dressing compared with other available adhesive foams for the management of chronic wounds.

Monitoring wound healing in the home health arena.

To determine the type and quality of documentation in home health care agencies in the United States, a 15-question survey was sent to 500 agencies. The returned surveys revealed the following: (1) narrative notes were the most consistently used documentation tool; (2) 74% of agencies take photographs of the wound as part of their documentation; (3) 87% of agencies stage pressure ulcers according to the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP) staging system; (4) 7% use reverse staging to document improvement in wounds; (5) 32% use standard protocols to treat different types of wounds; (6) 96% to 98% monitored healing by measuring length times width, as well as drainage and wound bed changes. The results indicate that most home health care agencies use the NPUAP staging system but do not track healing in a consistent way. They do not follow a consistent documentation standard, nor do their wound assessments bring together all the monitored factors indicative of healing progress.