An observational evaluation of a new foam adhesive dressing

Following the work of Winter demonstrating the benefits of moist wound healing, there has been a constant stream of wound care products launched into the market to support this concept. This article will describe the findings of an observational evaluation to observe, document and analyse the clinical effectiveness of a new foam adhesive dressing, UrgoTul® Absorb Border (Urgo Medical). The main objective of the evaluation was to define the parameters to allow data capture that would demonstrate the clinical effectiveness of the dressing. Parameters studied and analysed included atraumatic pain-free dressing changes; ease of dressing application; comfort and conformability; exudate management; ability of the dressing to stay in place; and peri-wound skin management. A total of 25 patients with wounds suitable to be dressed using the evaluation product were recruited following a full documented wound assessment by the tissue viability nurse. Participants were selected across the organisation from acute hospital wards and outpatient departments, care homes, wound care clinics and the participants' own homes. Digital photography was used to demonstrate improvement or deterioration of the wound bed and surrounding skin, and images were assessed by non-participating clinicians to confirm documented observations made within the evaluation. The dressing was found to be clinically effective in both chronic and acute wound types, and had an excellent level of participant acceptance.