Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2021 May-Jun;48(3):211-218.
doi: 10.1097/WON.0000000000000762.

The Use of Prophylactic Foam Dressings for Prevention of Hospital-Acquired Pressure Injuries: A Systematic Review

Katherine Sillmon  1   2   3   4   5 , Carter Moran  1   2   3   4   5 , Lauren Shook  1   2   3   4   5 , Claire Lawson  1   2   3   4   5 , Allison H Burfield  1   2   3   4   5
Affiliations

The Use of Prophylactic Foam Dressings for Prevention of Hospital-Acquired Pressure Injuries: A Systematic Review

Katherine Sillmon et al. J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs. 2021 May-Jun.

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this systematic review was to identify and evaluate the use of prophylactic foam dressings for prevention of hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs).

Methods: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis Statement (PRISMA).

Search strategy: Four researchers independently conducted searches in Health Source, Cochrane of Systematic Reviews, CINAHL, and PubMed. Search terms included: "pressure* OR skin breakdown AND sacrum*"; "ICU patient* OR critical care patient*"; and "foam dressing OR prophylactic* or prevent*."

Findings: The search identified 380 articles; 14 met eligibility criteria. The methodological quality of the included studies was variable. Findings from all studies included in our review support a decrease in HAPI incidence with use of sacral foam dressings.

Implications: Findings from this review suggest that prophylactic foam dressings decrease sacral HAPI occurrences in critical care patients. While additional research is needed, current best evidence supports use of prophylactic foam sacral dressings for patients at risk for HAPI.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interests.

References

    1. Byrne J, Nichols P, Sroczynski M, et al. Prophylactic sacral dressing for pressure ulcer prevention in high-risk patients. Am J Crit Care. 2016;25(3):228–234. doi:10.4037/ajcc2016979.
    1. Chaiken N. Reduction of sacral pressure ulcers in the intensive care unit using a silicone border foam dressing. J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs. 2012;39(2):143–145. doi:10.1097/WON.0b013e318246400c.
    1. Flike K. Pressure ulcer prevention in the intensive care unit: a case study. Crit Care Nurs Q. 2013:36(4):415–420. doi:10.1097/CNQ.0b013e3182a1eae2.
    1. Park KH. The effect of a silicone border foam dressing for prevention of pressure ulcers and incontinence-associated dermatitis in intensive care unit patients. J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs. 2014:41(5):424–429. doi:10.1097/WON.0000000000000046.
    1. Thorpe E. Prophylactic use of dressings for pressure ulcer prevention in the critical care unit. Br J Nurs. 2016;25(12):S6–S12. doi:10.12968/bjon.2016.25.12.S6.

Publication types