Grace HuntRegistered Nurse, Auckland DHB, Auckland, NZ
Grace Hunt (BSc, BNurs) is a Level 2 Registered Nurse on the ORL Surgical Ward and ORL Outpatients Clinic at Auckland City Hospital. She earned her Bachelor of Nursing and Bachelor of Science majoring in Pharmacology from the University of Auckland, graduating in 2018. She has contributed to a published article in Nurse Education in Practice and has a strong interest in nursing research and development.
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Epicyn: A Clinical Product Evaluation for a Superior Alternative in Suture Line Care for Head and Neck Patients
Grace Hunt, Felix Mariano, Vaishnavi Paranjape
Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Auckland District Health Board
Introduction: The care and assessment off suture lines in head and neck patients is part of routine nursing practice. For nurses at Auckland District Health Board this involves the frequent application of paraffin, a petroleum derived cream. Despite the lack of evidence for infection prevention from paraffin alone, topical antibiotics are not routinely prescribed due to the globally observed rise in antibiotic resistance. Epicyn is composed of naturally occurring components which both destroys pathogens and encourages wound healing. Epicyn is hypothesised to be a superior alternative to paraffin.
Aims: To gather feedback from nurses evaluating the key features of Epicyn compared to paraffin when applied to suture lines for head and neck patients.
Methods: The nurses on Ward 74 at Auckland City Hospital received product instructions at daily meetings prior to Epicyn's availability on the ward. This two-phase prospective product evaluation included a five-month trial phase, which informed modifications required to the product (Phase I), followed by a six-month evaluation with an emphasis on infection prevention (Phase II). Data collection began in November 2019 and will be completed by October 2020.
Results: Preliminary results indicate nursing staff would recommend Epicyn (92%). The overall response rate from nurses was 76% (n=21). Epicyn was found to be superior to paraffin for it’s ease of application (66%), not staining the suture line (63%), removability (58%), comfort for the patient (83%), and patient compliance (65%). Epicyn was also found to be an acceptable equivalent to paraffin for its hydration of wounds (58%). Currently Phase II responses have reported no recipients of Epicyn have developed suture line infections during their admission.
Conclusions: While data collection is ongoing, preliminary results indicate Epicyn is a preferred alternative to paraffin.
Grace Hunt, Felix Mariano, Vaishnavi Paranjape
Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Auckland District Health Board
Introduction: The care and assessment off suture lines in head and neck patients is part of routine nursing practice. For nurses at Auckland District Health Board this involves the frequent application of paraffin, a petroleum derived cream. Despite the lack of evidence for infection prevention from paraffin alone, topical antibiotics are not routinely prescribed due to the globally observed rise in antibiotic resistance. Epicyn is composed of naturally occurring components which both destroys pathogens and encourages wound healing. Epicyn is hypothesised to be a superior alternative to paraffin.
Aims: To gather feedback from nurses evaluating the key features of Epicyn compared to paraffin when applied to suture lines for head and neck patients.
Methods: The nurses on Ward 74 at Auckland City Hospital received product instructions at daily meetings prior to Epicyn's availability on the ward. This two-phase prospective product evaluation included a five-month trial phase, which informed modifications required to the product (Phase I), followed by a six-month evaluation with an emphasis on infection prevention (Phase II). Data collection began in November 2019 and will be completed by October 2020.
Results: Preliminary results indicate nursing staff would recommend Epicyn (92%). The overall response rate from nurses was 76% (n=21). Epicyn was found to be superior to paraffin for it’s ease of application (66%), not staining the suture line (63%), removability (58%), comfort for the patient (83%), and patient compliance (65%). Epicyn was also found to be an acceptable equivalent to paraffin for its hydration of wounds (58%). Currently Phase II responses have reported no recipients of Epicyn have developed suture line infections during their admission.
Conclusions: While data collection is ongoing, preliminary results indicate Epicyn is a preferred alternative to paraffin.
