Proposed Topic (Most preferred): :
Clinical Safety and Quality Service I (Projects aiming to improve efficiency and effectiveness of care delivery to meet international standards)
Authors (including presenting author) :
Uy CH(1), Leung YY(1), Liu YM(1), Ling WY(1), Chan TM(1), Yeung TH(1)
Affiliation :
(1)Physio Department, Princess Margaret Hospital
Introduction :
Introduction
Pressure injury is a prevailing healthcare concern causing prolonged hospitalization, elevated healthcare expenditures, and diminished quality of life. In recent years, the utilization of the Bioptron lamp in polarized light therapy has been supported with increasing evidence in demonstrating its beneficial effects on pressure injury recovery. As a result, a pilot project was launched to integrate light therapy into the present wound care regimens.
Objectives :
Objectives
To evaluate the effectiveness of hyperpolarized light in facilitating pressure wound management as a new adjunctive therapy in inpatient settings.
Methodology :
Methodology
The pilot light therapy program has commenced in two Orthopedic wards of Princess Margaret Hospital since May 2023. Patients with stage 2-3 pressure injuries who were medically stable and not contraindicated for Bioptron treatments were included by physicians and referred for Physiotherapy pressure injury management.
Trained case therapists conducted assessments and delivered Bioptron therapy in conjunction with case nurses during wound dressing sessions. A therapy session is administered twice a week for a duration of 10 minutes.
Outcome measures including wound size, stage, and the Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing (PUSH) were assessed at the commencement of the program and subsequently reviewed on a weekly basis to evaluate overall progress.
Result & Outcome :
Result
In this pilot program, four patients were initially recruited. Two of the patients became unavailable for treatment due to discharge or change in condition unrelated to pressure injury. Hence, the focus of this case study is confined to the remaining two patients, referred to as A and B.
After a treatment period of 18 weeks, patient A has demonstrated a reduction in wound size from 4 x 6 cm to 4 x 3.5 cm. Moreover, improvement was also shown in the wound stage from 4 to 3 and the PUSH score from 16 to 14, suggesting progress in overall wound recovery.
On the other hand, patient B underwent a treatment period of 7 weeks. The wound size showed a reduction from 7 x 7 cm to 6 x 5.5 cm, while the wound stage and PUSH score remained at 3 and 14 respectively. Despite the less significant improvement shown in patient B, this result still indicated the lack of deterioration in pressure wound which is known to progress rapidly.
Discussion
Overall, the enhancement of wound condition shown in this case study has demonstrated consistency with current evidence supporting the positive effect of Bioptron in wound healing. The hypothesis suggests that the coverage of visible light and infrared radiation in Bioptron enhances local blood circulation and accelerates cellular mechanism, thus promoting reparative processes. It is anticipated that the further integration of inpatient Bioptron therapy will contribute to the reduction of hospital stays and associated medical costs related to wound management.
Furthermore, it is crucial to note that the treatment outcome in this case study may be hindered by insufficient Bioptron sessions. In our pilot program, due to the difficulties in coordinating the wound dressing period within the ward, only two therapy sessions were available per week which falls short to 4 to 5 sessions per week as recommended by research. Therefore, in order to streamline optimal wound management, close nurse-physiotherapist collaboration with a coordinated schedule should be emphasized in further development of program.
Conclusion
This case study has illustrated the potential benefit of Bioptron therapy on pressure wound management as a new adjuvant treatment. However, further research involving larger sample sizes is necessary to enhance the generalizability of studies to investigate the effectiveness of light therapy.
