Moisture Retentive Wound Dressings

The effect of moisture retentive dressings on fullthickness wound healing has also been investigated.

Moisture retentive wound dressings.

The benefits of utilizing moisture based dressings are well documented. In a literature review of 3047 wounds the overall infection rate for wounds dressed with moisture retentive dressings was 2 6 whereas the infection rate for gauze dressed wounds was 7 1. In the last dec ade or so moisture retentive dress ings mrd which re tain wound exu date have gained in creas ing ac cep tance. Furthermore occlusive dressings allow less painful debridement and stimulate granulation tissue.

It is a problem that is seen throughout the health care system in all settings and every practitioner has the potential to have to deal with this issue. Ture is key to wound heal ing 1 3. Avoid semi occlusive dressings. One group of studies used 8 full thickness excisional wounds on each of 39 swine in 10 different studies involving a total of 22 dressings.

25 of the dressing has drainage on it the wound tissues are visibly moist and the moisture is evenly distributed in the wound moderate drainage involves 25 to 75 of the dressing the wound tissues are saturated and the moisture is is not evenly distributed in the wound large. Studies have shown significant value in moist wound healing as opposed to treatment of wounds in a dry environment and clinical evidence has supported this view for many years. The basics of wound care healing principles and treatment options need to be reviewed by primary care practitioners. Upon completion of the program the participant will be able to state functions of wound dressings state the different categories of dressings how to apply dressings and how to choose correct dressing based on specific wound type.

Moisture retentive dressings include films hydrogels hydrocolloids foams alginates and hydrofibers and are useful in a variety of clinical settings. Consider alginate or hydrocolloid if high exudate. Moisture retention and fluid absorption eg hydrocolloid alginate. Moisture retentive dressings allow rapid epithelialization reduce pain reduce fibrosis reduce infection and yield better cosmetic results.

Defi n tonii the types of dress ings that can be cate go rized as be ing moisture retentive are listed in ta ble 1. Moist wound healing has been shown to promote re epithelialization and can result in a reduction of scar formation because a moist environment keeps new skin cells alive and promotes cell. Slough covered wounds. 6 wet to dry dressings may incur more labor for the clinician or caregiver and more costs for the health care system.

To provide an overview of wound dressings. Antimicrobial impregnated dressings can be useful in wounds that are superficially infected or are at higher risk for infection. Despite these advantages moisture retentive dressings are still underused.