Journal of Community Nursing

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EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE
JCN supplement 2018,Vol 32, No 2 11
trial shows that the use of a sucrose
octasulfate dressing improved rate
of wound closure over 20 weeks
in patients with neuroischaemic
diabetic foot ulcers in comparison
with use of a control dressing (48%
in the treatment group vs 30% in
the control group) (Edmonds et al,
2018). Given the level of evidence
and the availability of the product
for both venous leg ulcers and
diabetic foot ulcers, this dressing
could form an important part of the
multidisciplinary management of
this group of patients.
CONCLUSION
Evidence-based practice is
essential to improving outcomes
for patients. It keeps practice
current and relevant and increases
confidence in decision-making.
Using the hierarchy of evidence
table ensures that the clinician
knows the robustness of the
evidence for their practice.
For best practice in wound
care, the best evidence should be
followed in guidelines based on
the scientifically produced and
evaluated data available. Evidence
from patient experience, values
and preferences should also be
considered, but clinicians should
be able to present the evidence to
the patients to ensure an informed
decision can be made. Lack of
knowledge is not an excuse for
poor practice, and all clinicians
have a professional duty to keep
their practice and knowledge up to
date. Modern wound dressings offer
clinicians an opportunity to
improve patient outcomes and
selection of such products should
be based on critical appraisal of the
available evidence.
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