Data Support ALLEVYN LIFE Foam Dressing’s Role in Pressure Injury Prevention

Smith+Nephew is sharing data for its ALLEVYN LIFE Dressing in a recent study by Professor Amit Gefen and his research group published in the International Wound Journal¹ that shows a novel mechanism of action relating to pressure injury prevention (PIP).
 
The study found the independent and non-bonded internal layers of ALLEVYN LIFE Dressing generates a layer-on-layer sliding phenomenon and allows mechanical energy to dissipate rather than being transferred to the patient in a bonded dressing.¹ The results show the dressing’s layer-on-layer frictional sliding absorbs 30% to 45% of mechanical energy, which could help alleviate pressure injury incidence in a patient’s skin and underlying soft tissues. This mechanism of action further adds to the understanding of the ways in which multi-layer dressings such as ALLEVYN LIFE work when used prophylactically for PIP.¹
 
“Based on my extensive, decades-long research in pressure ulcer/injury prevention, I am certain that an effective prevention dressing must contain a shear mitigation mechanism,” said Gefen, professor of Biomedical Engineering at Tel Aviv University. “My recent study on ALLEVYN LIFE Dressing revealed the role of its unique internal frictional layer-on-layer sliding which, together with its specific construct and material composition, facilitate effective shear mitigation.”
 
Pressure injuries remain one of the most significant healthcare challenges globally that affect patients of all ages.¹ On average, a pressure injury leads to increased healthcare costs of $21,767 per patient and an extra 9.5 days in the hospital.⁸
 
The study introduced a novel method to thoroughly test the frictional sliding capabilities of ALLEVYN LIFE’s independent layers. A new metric, frictional energy absorber effectiveness (FEAE), was also introduced to quantify the total mechanical energy dissipation of ALLEVYN LIFE Dressing.¹ This newly discovered mechanism of action for ALLEVYN LIFE Dressing further adds, and gives context to, existing clinical evidence⁹ for its capabilities in PIP that demonstrate significant reduction in pressure injury incidence.*¹
 
“Pressure injuries have a high burden on patients and healthcare systems,” said Rohit Kashyap, president, Advanced Wound Management, at Smith+Nephew. “This alignment of the laboratory findings with the clinical literature clearly demonstrates the enhanced clinical efficacy of ALLEVYN LIFE Dressings in helping reduce the burden of preventable pressure injuries as one of the only five-layer foam dressings with independent, non-bonded layers.”
 
Smith+Nephew is a portfolio medical technology business that develops new technologies across three global business units—Orthopaedics, Advanced Wound Management and Sports Medicine & ENT. Founded in Hull, U.K., in 1856, the company operates in more than 100 countries, and generated $5.2 billion in sales in 2022. The company employs 19,000 workers.
 
References
¹ Marché C, Creehan S, Gefen A. The frictional energy absorber effectiveness and its impact on the pressure ulcer prevention performance of multilayer dressings. Int Wound J. 2024; 21(4):e14871.
² Smith+Nephew 2016. Permeability of Hydrophillic Polyurethane Film when in contact with water and water vapour (ALLEVYN LIFE). Internal Report. RD/16/019.
³ Tiscar-González V, Menor-Rodríguez MJ, Rabadán-Sainz C, et al. Clinical and Economic Impact of Wound Care Using a Polyurethane Foam Multilayer Dressing. Adv Skin Wound Care. 2021;34(1):23–30.
⁴ Smith+Nephew 2016. Wound Model Testing of New ALLEVYN Life Gen2 wcl Dressing using Horse Serum at a Flow Rate Modelling that of a Moderately Exuding Wound. DS/14/303/R
⁵ Rossington A, Drysdale K, Winter R. Clinical performance and positive impact on patient wellbeing of ALLEVYN Life. Wounds UK. 2013;9(4):91–95
⁶ Clarke R. Positive patient outcomes: The use of a new silicone adhesive foam dressing for pressure ulcer prevention and treatment. Paper presented at: CAET; 2013
⁷ Lisco C. Evaluation of a new silicone gel-adhesive hydrocellular foam dressing as part of a pressure ulcer prevention plan for ICU patients. Paper presented at: WOCN; 2013
⁸ Wassel C, Delhougne G, Gayle J, et al. Risk of readmissions, mortality, and hospital-acquired conditions across hospital-acquired pressure injury (HAPI) stages in a US National Hospital discharge database. Int Wound J. 2020; 1–11.
⁹ Smith+Nephew 2021. ALLEVYN Dressing’s PIP evidence compendium. 31817. Available at: https://smith-nephew.stylelabs.cloud/api/public/content/allevyn-dressings-pip-compendium-2021?v=f6cfe376