Smith & Nephew announces progress on pressure ulcers

Smith & Nephew said its Allevyn Life dressing had been found to reduce the chance of elderly patients developing pressure ulcers after hip fractures.

The medical services company said a trial of 359 patients showed those who were not treated with Allevyn Life were more than three times as likely to suffer a pressure ulcer as those who were. It said the results added to evidence of the polyurethane dressing's benefits in preventing ulcers.

The study found 15.4% of patients receiving standard care developed a pressure ulcer compared with 4.5% of the group who received the same care with the addition of Allevyn Life. The trial was carried out the Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, Bologna, Italy.

Professor Cristiana Forni, who conducted the research, said: "Hip fractures in the elderly are a serious problem due to the high rate of mortality and complications such as pressure ulcers. Preventive measures play an important role in increasing quality of care, reducing health costs and improving the patient's quality of life."