The importance of a multidisciplinary team approach in the exudate management of patients with hard-to-heal wounds and the use of Zetuvit Plus Silicone

Methods

In a case series with 10 patients with hard-to-heal wounds (Atkin et al 2019), we looked at the performance of Zetuvit® Plus Silicone in combination with a multidisciplinary team approach in hospital and a wound care ambulance. We measured the success of the therapy with a hyperspectral imaging camera system, TIVITA® Tissue camera (Wild et al 2018), to look at the perfusion and the tissue water index. We also looked at the performance of the dressing in combination with compression therapy.

Results

In this case series, we found no damage in the tissue when applying a compression therapy and using Zetuvit® Plus Silicone as an wound dressing. We also found no damage in the surrounding skin or any allergic reaction. The inclusion of a physiotherapist in the treatment process improved the exudate management and the mobility of the patient.

Conclusion

The management of exudate (WUWHS 2019) includes more than just the correct choice of the dressing. It is important to approach wounds in a multidisciplinary team. Zetuvit® Plus Silicone is one option for a dressing to handle exudating wounds and protect the skin. It also can be applied under compression therapy without damaging the tissue.

Clinical relevance

This is relevant for the MDT who deal with patients with hard-to-heal wounds, exudating wounds and different kind of compression therapy.

Acknowledgements

PAUL HARTMANN provided free samples of Zetuvit® Plus Silicone for the case series.

Astrid Probst

Kreiskliniken Reutlingen GmbH, NursingDepartment, Reutlingen, Germany

Atkin, L., Bucko, Z., Condo Montero, E. et al (2019) Implementing TIMERS: the race against hard-to-heal wounds. J Wound Care 28 (3 Suppl 3): S1 – S49

Wild,T., Becker, M., Winter, J. et al (2018) Hyperspectral imaging of tissue perfusion and oxygenation in wounds: assessing the impact of a micro capillary dressing. J Wound Care 27 (1): pp 38 – 51

World Union of Wound Healing Societies (WUWHS) Consensus document (2019): Wound exudate: effective assessment and management.Wounds International