Management of Diabetic Foot Ulcers Using an Enhanced Antimicrobial Hydrofiber Dressing – Case Studies

Aim: Timely resolution of chronic diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) will have a positive impact on the diabetic patient’s quality of life, and will have significant impact on costs associated with treatment of these wounds. This case series explores the burden of barriers to wound healing and demonstrates how a new enhanced antimicrobial Hydrofiber dressing (AAA) can improve healing outcomes for patients with recalcitrant DFUs.

Method: Clinicians selected stalled or deteriorating DFUs that were considered to be compromised by bioburden. Only the primary dressing was replaced by the AAA dressing, for up to 4 weeks or as deemed clinically appropriate, in otherwise standard protocols of care. Evaluation forms were used to capture the baseline and final assessment characteristics of exudate levels, skin health, wound bed appearance, signs of bioburden involvement, wound dimensions, and wound images.

Results & Discussion:  At baseline, all 4 DFUs suitable for inclusion had previously been managed with antimicrobial agents, including systemic antibiotics and silver and iodine antimicrobial dressings, with little impact on wound progression. Following the introduction of the AAA dressing, considerable improvements in wound progression were observed, with complete healing in 3 of the 4 DFUs, and notable progression towards healing in the remaining DFU.

Conclusion: The use of AAA dressing within a protocol of care, as demonstrated by this case series, proved to be solution where other dressing regimes and antimicrobial strategies had failed, resulting in positive patient outcomes.