Prevalence of Pressure Ulcers in a Critical Situation by Alginate Dressings

Most commonly seen in patients who are elderly, bedridden, or those who suffer from decreased circulation; any conditions that decrease mobility leading to prolonged pressure on a body area can increase the risk of a pressure ulcers. Treatment of pressure ulcers includes removal of pressure, topical alginate dressings to spur cell growth and prevent infections, and use of antibiotics. Present 17 percent to 32 percent of patients, a key concern for those suffering from pressure ulcers is, Osteomyelitis, an infection of the bone that can result in decreased healing rate, increased length of stay, and amputation.

Nearly 72% of all patients hospitalized for pressure ulcers are over the age of 65 and the prevalence of pressure ulcers in a critical care setting for the U.S. is 22 percent.
Even more surprising is the fact that “during the first 2 weeks of admission alone hospital acquired pressure ulcers occur in approximately 9% of hospitalized patients.” The high
prevalence of pressure ulcers impacting an elderly population creates a large burden on the US healthcare system, leaving a clear opportunity to improve outcomes and reduce costs via the combination of wound care products and care protocols.

Begging’s of Modern Wound Care

The 19th century was a pivotal time for advances in wound care products with Innovations that laid the foundation for the modern chronic wound care industry. World War I and World War II were settings for agile advances in chronic wound care treatments.

Antibiotics and debridement were utilized to bolster healing and prevent infections, while the splinting of wounds brought dramatic increases in the prevalence of pressure ulcers. Traditional gauzes and antiseptic treatments were used and advances in wound care remained minimal until the 1960’s.

The father of the antiseptic wound dressing, the British surgeon Joseph Lister, incorporated the findings of French microbiologist, Louis Pasteur’s germ theory of fermentation to wound care. Pasteur’s theory that organisms were capable of fermentation shed light on the idea that microorganisms could be transmitted through air, a theory Lister applied directly to wound care.

In 1960 Lister coated wound dressings in carbolic acid, creating antiseptic wound dressings which led to dramatic drops in mortality and laid the foundation for modern aseptic wound care techniques, including alginate dressings.