The clinical and economic outcomes of an integrated care bundle using a three-layer silicone adhesive foam dressing for exudate management of chronic wounds: a retrospective cohort analysis

What is it about?

Introduction: The aim of this retrospective, real world, cohort analysis is to report the clinical and economic outcomes of an Integrated Care Bundle (ICB) that used a 3-layer silicone adhesive foam dressing for exudate management across multiple chronic wound types within a community setting in Canada. Methods: Analysis of the safety and effectiveness of the introduction of wound centered ICBs, adopted to improve the management of chronic wounds, from March 2016 to December 2018. Outcomes were compared between patients who received a 3-layer silicone foam adhesive dressing alongside an ICB and those that did not, as part of their care. Results: Patients who received care with an ICB and the dressing (n=6612) experienced improved clinical outcomes, compared with those who did not (n=2242). Including faster time to healing (12.7 vs 25.4 weeks, respectively) and longer time between dressings changes (3.5 vs 1.8 days, respectively). There were reduced number of nursing visits in the ICB cohort which led directly to reduced resource costs, compared to the patients in the non-ICB cohort (CAD$1736 vs $6488, respectively). Conclusions: This real-world cohort analysis demonstrated the adoption of an ICB that included treatment with a three -layer silicone adhesive foam dressing improved clinical outcomes, reducing chronic wound healing times and the frequency of wound dressing changes. Implications for clinical practice: Delivering wound care as part of an Integrated Care Bundle may improve health and economic outcomes for patients with chronic wounds.

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