(LR-036) Objective Assessment of Wound Dressing Exudate Rate Management by Category
Thursday, May 16, 2024
7:30 PM – 8:30 PM East Coast USA Time
Leyli Roshanaei, Pharm D Student – Student, Pharmaceutical Sciences, South University School of Pharmacy
Introduction: The exudate handling capabilities of wound dressings, within and between categories, are often indicated subjectively within various texts and marketing materials. However, little data exist demonstrating true qualitative and quantitative differences. Such a reference might serve as an objective means for clinical dressing selection, especially for less experienced clinicians entering the field. Clinician experience, while exceedingly valuable, is subject to patient-to-patient variability. Pharmacy students on experiential rotations were charged with developing a reference of dressing exudate handling capabilities that may be revised and expanded perpetually (online) by future students. This poster represents their progress to date.
Methods: A continuous exudate rate apparatus was fabricated and optimized by our pharmacy students during laboratory rotations. A micro pump system capable of accurately delivering model exudates from 0.06 to 3400 mL/min was plumbed to wound dressing wells of standardized dimensions. Various dressings by category were die cut to a uniform diameter. All dressings were secured under a standard weight to mimic clinical fixation. For each dressing, the maximum exudate rate at 24 and 48 hours was determined (i.e., max rate without leakage). Absolute capacity and extrapolated evaporation values were also determined.
Results: The apparatus and protocol developed has demonstrated an objective assessment of dressing exudate handling capabilities. The tables and charts that follow illustrate the maximum exudate rates that each test dressing can manage for 24- and 48-hour durations. The absolute dressing capacities at each period are also provided.
Discussion: While it may be argued that the rates and model exudates presented herein are not true surrogates for patient wounds, the results are objective and provide valuable direct comparisons of wound dressings lacking in the field. In the future we may consider more clinically relevant model exudates e.g., bovine serum. However, the results to date are objective and provide practical comparisons of wound dressings, thereby satisfying the a priori objectives of the project and this professor, which perhaps is the pivotal goal of all the students contributing to our field through their experiential rotations.