Effectiveness of Betadine Versus Normal Saline on Pressure Ulcers among Bedridden Patients

Abstract

Background of the study: Pressure ulcers also known as bed sores, are localized damaged to the skin or underlying tissues that usually occurs over a bony prominence as a result of usually long term pressure or pressure in combination with shear or friction. The most common sites are the skin overlying the sacrum, coccyx, heels and hips, other sites can also be affected such as elbows, knees, ankles, back of shoulder or back of the cranium. Pressure ulcers occur due to pressure applied to soft tissues resulting in completely or partially obstructed blood flow to the soft tissues.
Objective: To assess the effectiveness of Betadine versus normal saline on pressure ulcers among bedridden patients.
Methods: A pretest posttest control group design (two groups) was used to assess the effectiveness of Betadine versus Normal saline on pressure ulcers among bedridden patients admitted in critical care areas of a tertiary care hospital, Ludhiana of DMCH. Total 30 bedridden patients were drawn from the target population by using total enumerative sampling technique and then allocation of subjects was done into experimental group1 (n1= 15) and experimental group2 (n2= 15) by lottery method. In experimental group1, betadine dressing twice a day for 6 consecutive days was done. In experimental group2, normal saline dressing twice a day for 6 consecutive days was done. Data was collected by using patients profile (which include socio- demographic profile and clinical profile) and PUSH tool for healing of pressure ulcers which include 3 components- Surface area, Exudate amount and Tissue type with the help of interview, observation, bio-physiological parameters and records and reports. Data was analyzed by using inferential and descriptive statistics.
Results: The findings revealed that for healing process of pressure ulcer which includes surface area, exudates amount and tissue type: Non- significant result were found between experimental group1 and experiential group2 (p>0.05) in surface area, exudates amount and tissue type in all the observations from Day I to Day IV. It was concluded that there was no statistical significant results in mean of surface area within experimental group1 (p=.993) and experimental group2 (p=.996) and there was no statistical difference between the experimental group1 and experimental group2 from day I (p=.183) to day II (p=.176) to day III (p=.190) to day IV (p=.251) to day V (p=.224) to day VI (p=.127).It was concluded that there was no statistical difference between the total score of healing process of experimental group1 and experimental group2 on day I (p=.460) and day VI (p=.392). There was significant difference between the total score of healing process within the experimental group1 (p=.001) and experimental group2 (p=.001). Thus, null hypothesis was accepted.
Conclusion: Both Betadine 10% and normal saline 0.9% can be recommended for pressure ulcer dressing in clinical practice.