(HE-005) The Cost and Patient Benefits of a Bioengineered Acrylic Adhesive Sacral Foam Dressing in Long-Term Care Patients

Denise Anderson, RN, WCC – Director of Clinical Operations, Global Biomedical Technologies, LLC; Felicia Haines, RN – Clinical Research Nurse Coodinator, Global Biomedical Technologies, LLC

Introduction: Sacral foam dressings are recommended for prophylactic use by the Pressure Ulcer Prevention and Treatment Guide.¹ The objective of this study was to estimate the cost and patient benefits when treated with a novel bioengineered acrylic adhesive (BAA) sacral dressing in a long-term care setting.

Methods:

Patients had the BAA sacral dressings applied for injury treatment or prevention. BAA sacral dressings were changed three times weekly per the facility’s standard operating procedure (SOP). The weekly cost, of dressings per patient was calculated by the number of dressings used per patient per week as indicated by the facility’s SOP. Clinical acceptability was measured by the ability of the BAA sacral dressing to remain in place as prescribed, ease of use, prevention of additional sacral injuries, and observed patient responses of pain (Wong-Baker Faces Pain Scale) and erythema (Draize Erythema Scale) at removal.

Results: · 47 BAA sacral dressings were applied and removed from ten patients, five with sacral pressure injuries and five high-risk patients to prevent injuries, each patient received up to six BAA sacral dressings over a maximum of fourteen days. Each patient participated for a minimum of three consecutive days.

· No additional or worsening sacral pressure injuries were reported.

· 100% of nurses reported the BAA sacral dressing was easy to use.

· 94% of applied BAA sacral dressings remained in place as prescribed for 48 hours and 72 hours.

· 94% of BAA sacral dressing removals were deemed painless using the Wong-Baker Faces Pain Scale.

· 96% of BAA sacral dressing removals resulted in no observable erythema using the Draize Erythema Scale. 

· 67.3% cost reduction in sacral dressing costs: BAA sacral dressings ($5.86/dressing) when compared to the facility’s standard of care sacral dressing ($18/dressing).

Discussion:

The BAA sacral dressing demonstrated patient benefits of MARSI prevention and minimal pain, clinical acceptability of ease of use, and was associated with a significant cost reduction compared to the facility’s standard sacral dressing. When changed three times weekly, BAA sacral dressings cost $17.58 per patient, compared to the facility’s current sacral dressing cost of $54 per patient in the same application. The wearability of the BAA sacral dressing could increase the prescribed wear time, further reducing healthcare costs while increasing time efficiency for healthcare workers. Additional research of BAA sacral dressings and extended wear times will soon be initiated.

Trademarked Items: Comfort Release Sacral Foam Dressing (GB116)
Optifoam Gentle Sacral Foam Dressing (Medline)

References: 1. EPUAP, NPIAP, & PPPIA. (2019). Prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers/injuries: clinical practice guideline. In: Haesler E, ed. European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel, National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel, Pan Pacific Pressure Injury Alliance. EPUAP, NPIAP, PPPIA