An evaluation of polyvinylidene film dressing for treatment of pressure ulcers in older people.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effectiveness of polyvinylidene (PVL) food wrap as a dressing material versus conventional ointments and gauze dressings for pressure ulcers in patients aged 60 years or over.


METHODS
A prospective open controlled trial was conducted. The severity of pressure ulcers in both groups was evaluated using the DESIGN system. Scores were compared at baseline, four, eight and 12 weeks.


RESULTS
Twenty-five patients were treated with the PVL film (test) dressings and 24 with the conventional treatment (control). The test group showed greater improvement in DESIGN scores than the control group throughout the observation period, and the difference reached statistical significance at 12 weeks (p < 0.05). The incidences of local wound infection in the two groups were not statistically different (p > 0.999).


CONCLUSIONS
The PVL film dressing was more effective than conventional treatment in the management of severe pressure ulcers.
Takahashi
J
J
Department of Psychiatry, Minakuchi Hospital, Koka City, Japan. taka-jun@mx.scn.tv
Yokota
O
O
Fujisawa
Y
Y
Sasaki
K
K
Ishizu
H
H
Aoki
T
T
Okawa
M
M
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015400:Clinical Nursing Research; D005260:Female; D005853:Geriatrics; D006782:Hospitals, Special; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D009779:Occlusive Dressings / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards*; D011145:Polyvinyls / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000451:nursing*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012449:Safety; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017592:Skin Care / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology
D011145:Polyvinyls