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Show 60 Tyler Zagorec college of nursing Background Patients admitted to an intensive care unit setting commonly experience decreased sensory perception, decreased mobility, and other comorbidities that potentially contribute to developing pressure ulcers (PU). Physiologically, PUs are caused by an external source of pressure preventing normal blood flow to healthy tissue that results in tissue breakdown. PUs create increased discomfort, mobility issues and overall cost of care for patients. Friction is suspected to be a major factor of PU formation. The use of a self-adherent foam dressing to prevent PU formation may decrease PU formation in many patients by reducing a patient's exposure to friction, however, their effectiveness has not been studied. The purpose of this study is to perform a randomized clinical trial to test the effectiveness of foam dressings in the prevention of PUs in an intensive care unit (ICU). Methods The study has a between-groups design with 100 patients stratified in low- and medium-risk groups then randomized into a control or experimental group. The experimental group patients will receive foam dressings on common pressure points. Daily skin assessments performed by trained research nurses will be conducted on all patients in all groups, as well as collecting and documenting relevant patient data (i.e. vital signs, medications, and primary diagnoses. Patients will be assessed for signs of PU development as long as they stay in the ICU. Study results will be analyzed to determine whether or not the foam dressings had an impact on PU development. Results Patient recruitment for the study began in February 2012, and data collection is in process. It is anticipated that the experimental group, in the medium-risk category, will have decreased incidents of PUs; however, similar outcomes for those in the experimental group, in the low-risk category, is unsure at this time. Additionally, it is anticipated that the study's findings will reveal a link between skin-types and patient's predisposition toward incurring a PU. Implications Several factors play a role in PU formation. PU prevention methods and treatments are not well under-stood. The evidence based practice knowledgebase for PU prevention requires expansion. If foam dressing usage significantly decreases incidence of PUs in a critical care setting, healthcare cost savings could be recognized, patient satisfaction rates could increase, and improved patient outcomes may be realized. THE USE OF SELF-ADHERENT FOAM DRESSINGS FOR THE PREVENTION OF SACRAL AND EXTREMITY PRESSURE ULCERS Tyler Zagorec, Mark Smith (Alexa Doig) College of Nursing University of Utah UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS Mark Smith Alexa Doig |