Use of Omiderm in treatment of low-degree pressure sores in terminally ill cancer patients.

Skin management, prevention, and treatment of pressure sores is a difficult problem in the care of the terminally ill patient. These terminally ill patients have certain risk factors that make them prone to pressure sores and hinder wound healing. Sixteen patients with 22 noninfected first- and second-degree pressure sores were treated using a polyurethane-based dressing (Omiderm). Each patient's condition in relation to weight was graded and the type of skin was noted. The wounds were measured and their areas were calculated. Seventy percent of the wounds either healed completely or improved by more than 50% by the end of treatment. The average healing time for wounds that healed completely (12 of 22) was 5.9 days (SD = 1.6). Prevention of contamination was achieved in all cases. Patients frequently commented that they experienced relief from pain on application of the dressing. The nursing staff was very satisfied with the procedure. In light of these findings, it was concluded that Omiderm is a convenient and satisfactory dressing, to be used in the treatment of first- and second-degree pressure sores.