Effects of a Normothermic Dressing on Pressure Ulcer Healing

Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Publication Date

3-2000

Publisher

Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Source Publication

Advances in Skin & Wound Care

Source ISSN

1527-7941

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of radiant heat applied through a semiocclusive dressing on periwound skin temperature and wound healing.

DESIGN: Before-after trial.

SETTING: Spinal cord injury and geriatric units of a VA medical center.

PATIENTS: Twenty inpatients with 21 Stage III and IV pressure ulcers.

INTERVENTIONS: A semiocclusive, heated dressing was applied to 15 Stage III and IV pressure ulcers for 4.5 hours, Monday through Friday, for 4 consecutive weeks. The dressing emitted heat at 38.0°C for 2 60-minute periods daily. At all other times, the wounds received only standard wound care. Six wounds in a separate control group received only standard wound care during the same 4-week period.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Periwound skin temperature within and adjacent to the dressing and measurements of wound surface area.

MAIN RESULTS: Mean skin temperatures inside and outside the heated dressing increased by 0.97°C and 1.08°C (P <.05), respectively, from baseline values. Wounds treated with standard care plus the heated dressing underwent a statistically significant reduction in mean surface area of 60.73%. Wounds in the control group underwent a statistically insignificant reduction in mean surface area of 19.24%.

CONCLUSION: Wounds treated with a radiant heat dressing healed significantly faster than wounds that received only standard care. There were no adverse effects from the radiant heat dressing.

Comments

Advances in Skin & Wound Care, Vol. 13, No. 2 (March-April 2000): 69-74. Publisher link .

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS