The four-layer bandage system from a nursing perspective.
This article describes an evaluation that took place in 20 health centres, community clinics and hospitals throughout the UK. The aim was to explore nurses' opinions of three different four-layer bandage systems: kit A (System 4); kit B (Charing Cross); and kit C (Profore). Fifty-seven pairs of nurses were involved; within each pair, one was the applier and one the wearer. Each nurse was asked to complete a questionnaire which highlighted their opinions relating to ease of application, conformability, comfort and preferred bandage length. Responses were analysed using simple frequency counts, means, standard errors, Fisher's exact test and Kruskal-Wallis' one-way analysis of variance. The nurses involved were regular users of either the Charing Cross or Profore systems. Kit A was significantly easier to apply than kit B for layer 1 (P < 0.001), layer 2 (P < 0.05) and layer 3 (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in relation to layer 4. With regard to ease of application there were no statistically significant differences between kits A and C or B and C. Layer 1 of kit A was significantly more conformable than layer 1 of kit B (P < 0.001). There were no significant differences between kits B and C, or A and C or in relation to comfort for all bandage kits. Overall preference by the applier was: 25 for kit A, nine for kit B and 15 for kit C. Overall preference by the wearer was: 23 for kit A, 10 for kit B and 14 for kit C.
Stockport Healthcare NHS Trust, Adswood Clinic, Stockport.
J
J
Walsh
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001458:Bandages / Q000592:standards* / Q000600:supply & distribution; D003152:Community Health Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009720:Nurse Clinicians / Q000523:psychology*; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000523:psychology*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom; D014647:Varicose Ulcer / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology