title: Reduction of sacral pressure ulcers in the intensive care unit using a silicone border foam dressing.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We sought to determine if a silicone border foam dressing could decrease the incidence of sacral pressure ulcers in an intensive care unit.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study setting was an intensive care unit located in a 303-bed hospital with a designation of level 2 trauma. The unit specializes in the care of critically ill medical and postoperative adults. Two hundred seventy-three patients participated in the study; their mean age was 65 years (range, 18-105 years).
  
  
  METHODS
  Baseline sacral hospital-acquired pressure ulcer (HAPU) incidence was determined during a period of 35 months; skin care representatives examined all patients in our critical care unit for HAPUs on a monthly basis. Based on this baseline incidence, we studied the effect of application of a silicone-bordered foam dressing applied to the sacrum. The observation period for our study intervention was 6 months; the sacral area was examined twice daily during this period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average baseline sacral HAPU prevalence during the 35-month observation was 13.6% as compared to an incidence of 1.8% during a 6-month prospective study. Three of the 5 patients developed suspected deep tissue injuries and subsequently expired. The remaining 2 subjects developed stage 2 pressure ulcers, one of whom also expired.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Following application of a silicone-bordered foam dressing, we were able to achieve a HAPU of 1.8%.
authors.affiliation: Swedish Covenant Hospital, Chicago, Illinois 60625, USA. nchaiken@schosp.org
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chaiken
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002641:Chicago; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008875:Middle Aged; D009779:Occlusive Dressings; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012445:Sacrococcygeal Region; D012828:Silicones
chemical_list: D012828:Silicones