Use of a Simple Three-Step Process and Prevention Algorithm to Protect Skin Shown to Reduce Pressure Ulcers

SKILLMAN, N.J., Feb. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- ConvaTec, a world-leading developer and marketer of innovative medical technologies for community and hospital care, today announced the introduction of a new national campaign to help reduce the risk of pressure ulcers in hospital and post-acute care settings. The new campaign is a result of feedback and collaboration with nurses and clinicians who use skin care products to help prevent pressure ulcers. The campaign recommends three simple steps for using ConvaTec skin care products within a protocol of care to reduce the risk of pressure ulcers.

The ConvaTec 1-2-3 campaign to help reduce the risk of pressure ulcers standardizes products which support the proprietary ConvaTec Solutions® Algorithm for Prevention and strategies to cleanse, moisturize and protect skin. The campaign, which leverages an easy-to-identify 1-2-3 numbering system on ConvaTec skin care products, and is positioned for use by hospitals and other healthcare facilities across the U.S., will be shared with clinicians at the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel 12th Biennial Conference in Las Vegas.

"Our research shows that efforts to cleanse, moisturize and protect skin could have a significant and positive impact on reducing the risk of pressure ulcers for millions of patients each year," said Thierry Poirot, Vice President, Medical Affairs, North America and Asia Pacific. "The use of the Solutions® Algorithm for Prevention, including the ConvaTec 1-2-3 skin care products and a protocol of care resulted in a 90 percent reduction of hospital-acquired skin breakdown in an acute facility (1) and an 87 percent reduction of pressure ulcers in a long-term care facility." (2)

Pressure ulcers, also known as decubitus ulcers, are skin lesions associated with pressure, friction, moisture, and other factors. They can affect any area of skin and are especially common on the sacral area of the lower back, heels, and other areas with bony prominences. A study in the International Journal of Nursing Studies found that the prevalence of pressure ulcers ranges from 14.3 percent to 15.6 percent among patients in acute care settings and that pressure ulcers affect an estimated 27.7 percent of patients in long-term care facilities. (3) Additionally, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), pressure-ulcer related hospitalizations may add more than $10,000 to hospital costs, account for an additional four days in the hospital for a single individual and increase mortality rates. (4)

"Identification and proper care of at-risk or compromised skin is a very important part of pressure ulcer prevention," said Courtney H. Lyder, ND, GNP, FAAN, Dean and Professor, School of Nursing, Assistant Director, UCLA Health System, Executive Director, Patient Safety Institute, Professor of Public Health and Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA. "The ConvaTec 3-step protocol for skin care, combined with the Solutions® Algorithms for Prevention program, provides clinicians with clear guidance backed by clinical data validating that these three easy steps can reduce the risk of pressure ulcers for patients."

ConvaTec will also feature Solutions® Program for Pressure Ulcer Prevention which provides education, tools and products to help reduce the risk of pressure ulcers. This includes information on prevention, guidelines and recommendations of appropriate skin care and prophylactic dressings to effectively help to prevent pressure ulcers. The program is designed to help facilities and caregivers improve outcomes, clinical efficiency and standardized care for patients. The full range of resources in the Solutions® Program for Pressure Ulcer Prevention program can be customized for training and use by clinicians, and will be available beginning in March 2011.

ConvaTec offers two skin care lines to help customers cleanse, moisturize and protect skin. The Aloe Vesta® line of skin care products is appropriate for at-risk skin. The Sensi-Care® line of skin care products is appropriate for compromised skin. Additionally, DuoDERM® Extra Thin and DuoDERM® Signal® are appropriate for protecting bony prominences (e.g., sacral area of the lower back) where pressure ulcers can develop.

About ConvaTec

ConvaTec is a leading developer and marketer of innovative medical technologies that have helped improve the lives of millions of people worldwide. With four key focus areas – Ostomy Care, Wound Therapeutics, Continence and Critical Care, and Infusion Devices – ConvaTec products support healthcare professionals from the hospital to the community health setting. For more information, please visit www.convatec.com.

Solutions, Aloe Vesta, Sensi-Care, DuoDERM and Signal are registered trademarks of ConvaTec Inc.

© 2011 ConvaTec Inc.            AP-010969-US

(1) Kemmit H, Bowser J. Standard Algorithms Make A Difference at Maricopa Integrated Health System. Poster presented at 22nd Annual Symposium on Advanced Wound Care and Wound Healing Society Meeting; April 26-29, 2009; Dallas, TX.

(2) Lyder CH, Shannon R, Empleo-Frazier O, McGeHee D, White C. A comprehensive program to prevent pressure ulcers in long-term care: exploring costs and outcomes. Ostomy Wound Manage. 2002 Apr,48(4):52-62.

(3) Horn, S. D., et al., 2002; Whittington & Briones 2004; cited in Sanada, H., et al. 2010, p. 280.

(4) Zhan C, Miller MR. Excess Length of Stay, Charges, and Mortality Attributable to Medical Injuries During Hospitalization. JAMA 2002;290(14):1868-1874.

SOURCE ConvaTec