Healthy Skin Healthy Skin_Issue 12_Fall 2023 | Page 21

The cost savings is gathering the attention of our local administration here as a very necessary product .
2 . Fewer dressings are used . The ability to keep the dressing on during skin checks , combined with its conformability , means this long-lasting dressing can actually remain in place for its full seven days , unlike other dressings that say they can , but lose adhesion during skin checks . “ I can say we ’ re using one sacral dressing per four foam dressings ,” Baglio reports .
3 . Prevention equals savings . You ’ ve all heard the statistics of how much a pressure injury costs to treat . Well , preventing it in the first place reduces that cost . “ The millions you save in facility-acquired wounds — as well as doing right by the patient — is a huge factor ,” notes Sanford . As Baglio says , “ We ’ re trying to do cost avoidance .”
4 . Patient comfort increases . Clinicians who have trialed OptiView have said that it ’ s more comfortable for patients than other dressings . Fewer dressing changes mean decreased patient anxiety over the dressing change process and less potential for skin irritation due to dressing adhesive . This could translate to better patient reviews and better facility reputation .
“ I actually feel like I have an adjunct that works , and not just a flimsy foam where I think , yes , it might do something , but it might not do anything ,” Baglio says , adding , “ The gamut that the width and breadth of this product brings and the benefits to patients is amazing .”
Rathburn concludes , “ It just improves efficiency overall .” ■
OptiView FAQs
Q : Can OptiView be used as a secondary dressing ?
A : Yes , you may choose to use OptiView over an alginate or gelling fiber .
Q : What if wound drainage prevents me seeing the wound ?
A . When the dressing absorbs a lot of exudate , visibility to the wound can be hindered . This indicates a dressing change is needed . But remember , OptiView is indicated for low drainage wounds , so if you have a high-exudate wound , consider a foam dressing .
Q : What are some ways I can use OptiView ?
A : Here are some effective uses for OptiView : On sacrum , any bony prominence and under medical devices such as neck brace . You can also use it on a stage 2 skin tear with partial flap loss . In addition , Halifax Health RN Jessica Rathburn notes , “ We like OptiView so much that we were hoping that when people go to the ICU one of the first things that happens is they automatically put OptiView on the sacral area , heels , possibly the elbows , hips and other bony prominences . So that would also help prophylactically with prevention .”
Q : Why would I use OptiView instead of a 5-layer foam ?
A : OptiView is a multi-layer silicone dressing , which follows NPIAP recommendations for a prophylactic dressing that serves to “ maintain the dressing in situ ” and allows clinicians to “ readily assess the skin under the dressing .”
Q : If OptiView isn ’ t a foam dressing , how is it absorbant ?
A : The HydroCore absorbs exudate at about the same rate as a light foam .
References 1 Data on file 2 Data on file
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