A case study to show the effectiveness of a highly absorptive exudate management product Eclypse (Advancis Medical) in comparison to Surgipad (Johnson and Johnson)

Amy Oldfield - Tissue Viability Clinical Nurse Specialist and Sue Taylor – Tissue Viability Link Nurse

The Tissue Viability Team are currently evaluating a highly absorptive exudate management product Eclypse (Advancis Medical). They are evaluating whether this product would be a useful addition to the trusts’ wound care product formulary. The trust currently uses Surgipad absorbent padding for exudate management particularly in leg ulcer management. This poster shows the role that Eclypse may have in wound management.

Methodology

The Tissue Viability Team along with the help of the link nurse for the ward area identified a patient suitable for the evaluation of Eclypse absorbent dressing. The dressing was applied and reassessed by the tissue viability team and photographs were taken at the first three assessments. We were unable to conduct a wound assessment as there were multiple blistered superficial leaking areas so we judged the improvements on the patients comments of how comfortable the dressing was, the time taken to complete the dressing and the reduction in dressings being carried out for the patient. We also looked at the reduction in maceration to the skin.

Case study

The Tissue Viability Team decided to use the Eclypse dressing on Mrs R after completing their holistic patient assessment. Mrs R had terminal lung cancer and was acutely unwell. She had bilateral oedematous limbs which were continually leaking serous fluid. The nurses on the ward were changing the dressings at least twice daily, they were constantly saturated with exudate and macerating the skin. This was distressing Mrs R at a time when she should have been kept comfortable and free from distress. They were using approx 8 Surgipads 20cm x 20cm for each dressing change on each leg and changing them twice daily. The cost comparison can be seen on the next page. Eclypse (Advancis Medical) 60cm x 40cm was commenced on day 1 and the Tissue Viability Team re-evaluated the success of the product on day 5. The dressing had managed the large amounts of exudate and was comfortable for the patient. Mrs R felt more relaxed through not having to go through twice daily dressing changes, and also seeing an improvement in the maceration of the skin. The Tissue Viability Team decided to leave the dressing in place for three days following the first assessment. It continued to control the exudate effectively therefore reducing dressing changes to just twice a week. Psychologically this made a significant difference to Mrs R as she could see a slight improvement in her general skin condition, even though her prognosis was very poor. We continued the Eclypse 60cm x 40cm twice weekly sadly though two weeks following the start of the evaluation Mrs R passed away.

Conclusion

In conclusion this poster has hopefully illustrated the use of Eclypse absorbent dressing within the authors trust on one case study and how when applied appropriately for a patient it can make a significant impact on their quality of life. The cost comparison (see next page) obviously shows that there may be an increased cost for the trust, but if this dressing was included in the formulary then having the reduction in dressing changes may reduce the length of time the nurses would need to carry out the dressing.

Discussion

This case study, though limited to one patient at present, highlights the uses for such a product within the authors trust. In cost comparison it is obvious to see that it is significantly more expensive. However psychologically for the patients it enables a reduction in dressing changes causing them less distress. It also utilises fewer nurses as the dressings are easier to apply than 8 Surgipads so facilitates quicker dressing changes. The dressing worked well at controlling the exudate and the patient found it comfortable to wear.

Cost comparison for Eclypse vs Surgipads