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. 2015 Aug;12(4):408-13.
doi: 10.1111/iwj.12123. Epub 2013 Jul 30.

Enhancing pressure ulcer prevention using wound dressings: what are the modes of action?

Evan Call  1 , Justin Pedersen  2 , Brian Bill  1 , Joyce Black  3 , Paulo Alves  4 , C Tod Brindle  5 , Carol Dealey  6 , Nick Santamaria  7 , Michael Clark  6
Affiliations

Enhancing pressure ulcer prevention using wound dressings: what are the modes of action?

Evan Call et al. Int Wound J. 2015 Aug.

Abstract

Recent clinical research has generated interest in the use of sacral wound dressings as preventive devices for patients at risk of ulceration. This study was conducted to identify the modes of action through which dressings can add to pressure ulcer prevention, for example, shear and friction force redistribution and pressure distribution. Bench testing was performed using nine commercially available dressings. The use of dressings can reduce the amplitude of shear stress and friction reaching the skin of patients at risk. They can also effectively redirect these forces to wider areas which minimises the mechanical loads upon skeletal prominences. Dressings can redistribute pressure based upon their effective Poisson ratio and larger deflection areas, providing greater load redistribution.

Keywords: Dressing prophylaxis; Force dispersion; In vitro force measurement; Point load deflection; Poisson's ratio; Pressure ulcer; Pressure ulcer prevention; Shear.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Set‐up of shear displacement method.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Dressing coefficient of friction (α = 0·05).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Shear stress delivered to the patient (α = 0·05).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Effect of dressing on shear (α = 0·05).
Figure 5
Figure 5
Human subject and bench test validation (α = 0·05).
Figure 6
Figure 6
Point load at maximum deflection for nine dressings and control (no dressing) (α = 0·05).
Figure 7
Figure 7
Poisson's ratio for nine dressings and control (no dressing) (α = 0·05).
Figure 8
Figure 8
Dressing deflection area and contact area (α = 0·05).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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