The purpose of the study titled “Wound Dressing Absorption: Comparative Study” was to compare various wound dressing products in the market, in terms of their absorption properties. Towards this end, the study sought to provide useful data on new, available wound dressing products. Such comparisons would go a long way in helping nurses and physicians make informed decisions before using a specific wound dressing product on a patient. The study was conducted by a team of wound care professionals and experienced medical researchers. Virtually all the researchers in the study have considerable experience in wound dressing.
The researchers used an experimental methodology to evaluate the absorption capacities of the various wound dressing products. The laboratory experiment was designed to indicate the time each product took to absorb moisture from a wound. The study assessed the following variables: volume required to saturate the retention capacity, rate between the absorption surface of the dressing and total surface, macroscopic aspect and pH evolution. The data obtained was added to the systematic data set and quantitative analyses carried out. A test-and-enter form of evaluation was performed where new wound dressing were tested and the resulting data entered into the data set.
The results indicated that some wound dressing products were better than others. Each wound dressing product evaluated in the study demonstrated a specific absorbing capacity different from the others with which it was compared. The comparative research, which compared the wound dressing products’ absorption capacity, used these results to draw conclusions based on the findings and subsequent analyses. Based on the data analysis and results, the investigators concluded that some wound dressing products available in the market are more effective than others (Fulton et al., 2012), adding that it was essential that healthcare personnel offering wound nursing care should be careful while selecting wound dressing products. The findings corroborate those of another 1998 study which used an experimental, in-vitro evaluation methodology to compare the absorption capacity of three wound dressing products, as well as exudate management. Researchers in the 1998 study reported that certain wound dressing materials were more effective in absorption and exudate management (Torra, Cortes and Manresa, 1998; Cullen, Boothman and Aickin, n.d).
My Thoughts
As a student in this class, the research article interested me because it carries important information on wound dressing and the variety of dressing products, as well as the need to choose the best product based on research evidence. To this end, the information in the report is relevant to my study. It will go a long way in enhancing my knowledge on wound dressing and wound treatment in general. The experiment, methodology, results and conclusions reported by the authors are valid in my opinion. This is because the research sample used is representative, while the research methodology is also simple but free of any bias, which implies that the conclusions are valid and can be generalized reliably. Lastly, the investigators are professionals in wound care and research, so it may be argued that their work would be reliable to a significant extent.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the researcher’s objective and thesis are stated clearly in the research article, and the study methodology applied effectively to test the hypothesis. The experimental design, data analysis, explanation of limitations and the authority of the researcher make the conclusions reliable and applicable in a wide range of clinical wound care situations.
Works Cited
Cullen, Breda, Boothman Stuart, and Aickin Sarah. An evaluation of wound dressings to
Manage wound exudate and conform to the wound bed .Sustagenix Wound Management, n.d. Web. 21 Nov. 2013.
Fulton, J. A., Blosiole, K. N., Cottingham, T., Tornero, M., Graves, M., Smith, L.G., Mirza, L.S.,
and Mostow, N. Wound dressing absorption: a comparative study. Advanced Skin Wounds Care, 25.7 (2012): 315-320.
Torra, B. J., Cortes, B.A., and Manresa, D. J. Experimental in vitro evaluation of the absorption
Capacity and control of exudate of 3 wound healing dressings. Rev. Enferm., 21. 242 (1998): 2-8.
