ROSALYN THOMAS,

1. HOLIDAY FEET: MANAGING A SUNBURNT FOOT USING
THE RIGHT DRESSING AT THE RIGHT TIME-
A CLINICAL EVALUATION OF A NEW FOAM &
HYDROFIBER® DRESSINGS
ROSALYN THOMAS, D.Pod.M., PG Dip.
(WHTR)
ABMUHB
Deputy Head of Podiatry
Diabetes Centre
Morriston Hospital
Swansea
SA6 6NL.
Email:rosalyn.thomas@wales.nhs.uk
1
poster EP590

2. Background
• The risk of people with diabetes having foot
problems resulting in an amputation is 20 times
greater than those without diabetes (Kerr, 2012) .
• Timely referral to specialised services when foot
complications occur can reduce amputation rates.
• This project evaluated the cost-effectiveness of a
new Hydrofiber® foam dressing* on a challenging
wound.
• blank
poster EP590
2
Kerr M (2012) Foot Care for People with Diabetes: The Economic Case for Change. NHS Diabetes.
Available at: http://www.diabetes.nhs.uk/our_publications/
* AQUACEL ® Foam Dressing

3. Introduction
• Case study illustrating sun burnt foot
• Male paraplegic
• Wound:
▫ History of impaired healing
▫ Challenging large necrotic wound (19cms X 8cms)
▫ Hydrated with hydrogel
▫ Debridement utilising BioSugery
▫ Application of appropriate dressing combination
of Hydrofiber® ** & Hydrofiber® Foam dressing*
poster EP590
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* AQUACEL® Foam Dressing
** AQUACEL® Extra™ Dressing

4. Pre & Post BioSurgery
Per 11th July 2012 Post 13th July 2012
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poster EP590

5. Criteria of dressing choice
• Provide moist wound environment
• Promote healthy granulation tissue
• Prevent peri-wound maceration
• Minimise dressing changes
• Non-traumatic removal
• Ease of use
• Remains in situ
• Highly absorbent
• Improving the patients quality of life
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poster EP590

6. Initial dressing change (17th July 2012)
Hydrofiber® Foam dressing*
insitu
On removal.....
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poster EP590
* AQUACEL® Foam Dressing

7. Separated into two (31st July 2012)
Hydrofiber* Foam dressing
insitu
On removal.........no
debridement required.
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poster EP590
* AQUACEL® Foam Dressing

8. Dressing change (24th August 2012)
On removal........!!!!!!
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poster EP590
* AQUACEL® Foam Dressing
Hydrofiber* Foam dressing
insitu

9. Outcomes & findings
30th October 2012 Patients views
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poster EP590
• Fear of amputation
• History of previous ulceration
of 4 years duration
• Confidence restored in two
weeks of treatment
• Alternate days dressing to
twice weekly within 2 weeks
• Rapid reduction in wound size
• Healed within 4 months not 4
years!!

10. Discussion
(photo October 2012)
• Foot ulcers are challenging
especially on paraplegics.
• Thorough holistic assessment of
patients and wounds are
paramount to healing.
• No further debridement after
initial debridement
• Cost-effective dressings
supported by clinical evidence &
rational, guides clinicians to
choose appropriately.
• Hydrofiber® Foam dressing in
this case undoubtedly supports
work of Drew and Possnett¹ as
it reduced clinicians time spent
on dressing changes which is a
key driver of costs.
1. Drew P, Posnett J, Rusling L. The cost of wound care for
a local population in England. Int Wound J. 2007;4:149-
155.
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poster EP590
* AQUACEL® Foam Dressing
®/TM indicates a trade mark of ConvaTec Inc..
Consent was given to use all photographic images
AQUACEL® Foam Dressings were provided to the author free of charge for the purpose of this evaluation.