The Use of a No-sting Barrier Film Treatment Protocol Compared to Routine Clinical Care for the Treatment of Stage 1 and 2 Pressure Injuries in Long-term Care

Pressure injuries increase morbidity and mortality in geriatric patients by 400%. Residents in long-term care (LTC) are at high risk of developing pressure injuries because of limited mobility, poor nutritional status, impaired cognition, and incontinence. This study aims to determine whether a no-sting barrier film (NSBF) treatment protocol is more effective than current physician practices for treating stage 1 and 2 pressure injuries in LTC. A retrospective cohort study of 129 residents from one LTC facility was performed after a six-month implementation trial of a NSBF treatment protocol. The six-month incidence rate of stage 1 and 2 pressure injuries was 9% and 38% respectively. There was a statistically significant reduction in healing time in those treated with the NSBF protocol. In summary, the NSBF protocol reduces healing time of stage 1 and 2 pressure injuries; this protocol could be easily incorporated into existing pressure injury treatment strategies in LTC.