University Hospitals Bristol NHS Trust Health Economics Expertise and Leadership Health Economics Expert Professor Joanna Coast Dr Lazaros Andronis University of Birmingham University of Birmingham Epidemiologist Study Coordination & Management Professor Melanie Calvert (Birmingham) University of Birmingham Dr Magill Clinical Trials Unit (University of Birmingham) Academic F2 doctor Research Associate Dr Tom Milne Ms Rhiannon Macefield University of Bristol University of Bristol Qualitative Researcher NIHR Doctoral Fellow Dr Rooshenas Mr Barry Main University of Bristol University of Bristol Study contacts Investigator Study Coordinator Professor Jane Blazeby Lucy Ellis Email: Email:bluebelle-study@bristol.ac.uk 1. Introduction Each year 4.5 million operations are performed in England and these are frequently complicated by wound infections. Whilst many wound infections resolve with simple treatment, the more serious ones cause pain, discomfort and may need prolonged hospital stays or further surgery. This has major costs for the health services. Every effort is therefore made to minimise risks of developing wound infections. One area of controversy is the role of wound dressings. Wound dressings range from simple to complex with varying properties and some (complex) dressings may interact with the wound to improve healing. Application of wound dressings is standard practice following surgery in adults but it is rare to apply dressings to surgical wounds in children. Evidence about the effects of wound dressings for the prevention of infection in surgical wounds, in adults and children, has been scientifically reviewed. This found no evidence to suggest that covering surgical wounds with dressings reduces the risk of wound infection, or that any particular wound dressing is more effective than another. The evidence, however, is poor, and most studies are small and had design faults. The review concluded that decisions on wound dressings should be based on dressing costs and
University Hospitals Bristol NHS Trust Health Economics Expertise and Leadership Professor Joanna Coast University of Birmingham Health Economics Expert Dr Lazaros Andronis University of Birmingham Epidemiologist Professor Melanie Calvert University of Birmingham Study Coordination & Management (Birmingham) Dr Magill Clinical Trials Unit (University of Birmingham) Academic F2 doctor Dr Tom Milne University of Bristol Research Associate Ms Rhiannon Macefield University of Bristol Qualitative Researcher Dr Rooshenas University of Bristol NIHR Doctoral Fellow Mr Barry Main University of Bristol Study contacts Investigator Professor Jane Blazeby Email: Study Coordinator Lucy Ellis Email:bluebelle-study@bristol.ac.uk 1. Introduction Each year 4.5 million operations are performed in England and these are frequently complicated by wound infections. Whilst many wound infections resolve with simple treatment, the more serious ones cause pain, discomfort and may need prolonged hospital stays or further surgery. This has major costs for the health services. Every effort is therefore made to minimise risks of developing wound infections. One area of controversy is the role of wound dressings. Wound dressings range from simple to complex with varying properties and some (complex) dressings may interact with the wound to improve healing. Application of wound dressings is standard practice following surgery in adults but it is rare to apply dressings to surgical wounds in children. Evidence about the effects of wound dressings for the prevention of infection in surgical wounds, in adults and children, has been scientifically reviewed. This found no evidence to suggest that covering surgical wounds with dressings reduces the risk of wound infection, or that any particular wound dressing is more effective than another. The evidence, however, is poor, and most studies are small and had design faults. The review concluded that decisions on wound dressings should be based on dressing costs and
Wound-dressing-survey-Bluebelle-protocol-1.01.docx