The use of Algivon Manuka honey dressing on a grade 4 pressure ulcer

Georgina Preston - Tissue Viability Nurse, Northamptonshire PCT

Mr B is a 63 year old gentleman who was discharged from the secondary care setting with a Grade 4 pressure ulcer to his left buttock. He had been in hospital for less than 2 weeks with a chest infection and the ulcer had developed rapidly during this time.

Mr B. was at high risk from developing pressure ulcers as he had previously developed Grade 4 ulceration. He was tetraplegic, unable to change his position independently and suffered from chronic back pain making the only comfortable position lying on his back.

On examination, the wound bed was covered in devitalised tissue, the wound was malodourous and exuadate levels were high.

The surrounding skin was macerated and deterioration of the wound was a possibility. As a multi-disciplinary team we were concerned about the lack of repositioning of Mr B due to his chronic back pain, his heavy smoking and poor dietary intake.

An alternative alternating air replacement mattress was put in place, pain relief was addressed, dietry supplements commenced and agreement with Mr. B, smoking was limited to one hour per day when seated in his wheelchair.

Algivon honey and foam dressings were used to aid debridement of the wound and to reduce malodour. The wound was redressed

every 24 - 48 hours depending on the exudate levels. Significant improvement was noted over the first few weeks.

The Algivon dressing reduced the malodour and promoted fast autolytic debridement of the wound bed to prepare for wound healing. Within 4 weeks the wound bed was 100% free from devitalised tissue enabling the commencement of topical negative pressure. 3 months on, the wound is almost healed and the patient, relatives and nursing team are pleased with the progress made. Mr B is feeling much better with improved appetite and general well being.

Algivon dressings have been used successfully on many of our patients to aid autolytic debridement of infected, malodourous wounds with devitalised tissue.

Due to its clinical and cost effectiveness the PCT has included the Activon & Algivon range on the Dressings Formulary.