The management of wound odour and exudate using a multi-purpose dressing – a case series

What is it about?

Background and aim The care of chronic wounds (CWs) is complex and their management is multifaceted. To manage the clinical manifestations, the performance of a multi-purpose dressing in the management of odour, exudate, pain and healing in patients with CWs attending a wound outpatient clinic was assessed. Method A case series using descriptive statistics was conducted with 22 consecutive patients with an existing odorous CW attending a wound outpatient clinic. Participants were treated with a multi-purpose dressing. Results All participants had a complete reduction of their wound odour between the first and the second dressing application (p<0.001). Maceration was reduced or completely eliminated in all exudative wounds (81.8%). All cases decreased in wound size during the study time (mean percentage 45.5%; SD 15.3). Pain was reduced in 55% and unchanged in 45% of wounds. Conclusion and implication for practice Multi-purpose dressings provide a reduction of wound odour, wound area, as well as maceration area. In addition, the dressing has a more moderate impact on pain reduction.

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