INFECTION PREVENTION


Cooper noted, “Although signifi- cant progress has been made to prevent pressure ulcers/in- juries, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality recent- ly reported the inci- dence increased by 10 percent between 2014 and 2016.3


To


break this cycle, fa- cilities must adopt a skin-first approach, one that takes a holistic view and focuses on people, practice, and products that impact cost, quality, and outcomes.” Each year, the 3M Award for Excellence in Skin Safety, funded by a grant from 3M to the Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nurses Society (WOCN), recognizes facilities that have demonstrated posi- tive clinical outcomes achieved through best-in-class prevention protocols, teamwork, interdisciplinary participa- tion, senior leadership engagement, and effective staff and patient education. The 2018 honoree is Connecticut Children’s Hospital. Amy Korber, MSN, RN-BC, Manager, Learning & Performance, said, “We’re proud to have received this year’s 3M Award for Excellence in Skin Safety for the depth and breadth of our skin-integrity program services and for sustaining high-quality patient outcomes for more than six years.” Korber said their skin- care program began in 2012, to help minimize prevalence of PIs. “At that time, we did not have a dermatology de- partment, so the pro- gram began organically when a group of nurses at the hospital began to explore ways to improve skin integrity across the hospital. The foundation of our skin-care program was built around, and adheres to, the 5 Solutions for Patient Safety PI–prevention standard bundle elements: assessment, device rotation, patient positioning, ap-


3M Tegaderm Silicone Foam Dressings


propriate bed surface, and moisture management. Other components include resources to educate and support patient-care team members on the im- portance of both skin risk assessment and PI prevention, and dedicated ‘Healthy Skin Champions’ who are devoted to skin care as a


top priority in each inpatient unit. We also conduct quarterly PI prevalence audits and regularly track the hospital’s performance against children’s hospitals nationwide.” The 3M grant also provides financial support for an individual or a maximum of four members of a skin-care team to attend the annual WOCN conference.


Vitamins and minerals Ionic silver has inherent antimicrobial properties, making it useful for wound healing. Raul Brizuela, President and CEO, Argentum Medical, explained what sets their product apart. “Silverlon uses a unique silver-plated nylon substrate, providing up to 100 times more silver than impregnated dressings, and is activated by moistening before application to generate antimicrobial silver ions. Silverlon eradi- cates methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in four hours and remains active for up to seven days.” He added that it is inexpensive and easy to use.


Silverlon wound dressing from Argentum Medical


Brizuela pointed


out the efficacy of Silverlon is sup- ported by multiple peer-reviewed published studies conducted in dif- ferent disciplines, including ortho- pedics, colorectal surgery, open heart surgery, scoliosis,


and laminectomies. “An independent study from Harvard showed a 54 percent reduction of prosthetic joint infections (to- tal hip and knee surgeries), both superficial and deep infections.4


A study from the


Connecticut Children’s Medical Center skin team accepting the 3M Award for Excellence in Skin Safety


University of South Florida showed a 46 percent reduction in central-line infections, compared to the standard chlorhexidine sponge dressing. The rate was sustained for six years.5 “One of the greatest problems in hospi- tals today is the burden of postoperative wound infection,” stated Brizuela. “A surgical-site infection costs a minimum of $23,000 and can easily exceed $100,000. For central lines in the University of South


26 August 2018 • HEALTHCARE PURCHASING NEWS • hpnonline.com


Florida study, the authors estimated that use of Silverlon saved their facility over $1,000,000 per year.”5


Kerecis offers Omega3 Wound , an un- usual but effective wound-care product. Gunnar Johannsson, MD, Director of Medical Affairs, described it as “intact fish skin that, when grafted onto damaged hu- man tissue, recruits the body’s own cells and ultimately is converted into living tissue. Larger, thicker sheets last longer in the wound and are ideal to cover exposed bones and tendons,” said Johannsson.


Kerecis Omega3 Wound


“The product helps wounds heal be-


cause of the structure of the fish skin and the presence of Omega3 polyunsaturated fatty acids,” explained Johannsson. “Be- cause there is no risk of disease trans- mission, the fish skin is only minimally processed. The result is that the fish skin is much more similar in structure to human skin than other skin substitutes. Also, fish skin is rich in Omega3, which possesses multiple health benefits, including anti- inflammatory and pain-relief properties.” Johannsson said fish skin is easy to use, has a three-year shelf life at room temperature, and requires no complicated preparation or thawing procedure. Johannsson cited a double-blinded, randomized, controlled clinical study that found wounds treated with Ker- ecis Omega3 Wound healed significantly faster than wounds treated with leading mammalian-based products. “In the study, which compared the fish skin to pig tissue, up to twice as many wounds closed at the study time points.6


Negative-pressure wound therapy


Negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is the application of sub-atmo- spheric pressure to a wound to remove exudate and debris. It is delivered through an integrated system of a suction pump, separate exudates collection chamber, and dressing sets.


Brenda Hart, MSN, FNP-C, ARNP, CWON, Senior Clinical Consultant, NPWT and Wound Care, Cardinal Health, explained that NPWT is commonly used for chronic or difficult-to-heal wounds. “Studies show up to four times increased


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