The ubiquitous hospital polyethylene pinny: an ideal temporary wound cover

Abstract

Background

Daily plastic surgery ward rounds involve regular complex wound monitoring to direct management. As a tertiary service, our patients are often located on different wards that lack a full gamut of dressings. We propose the use of a novel, expedient, temporary dressing for wound coverage and review the literature on the subject matter.

Methods

Our trauma team trialled the use of standard polyethylene aprons’ inner surface as temporary cover for open wounds. Microbiology wound swabs were taken from the unfolded apron prior to use, and sent for routine culture. Twenty-one consecutive patients were recruited to the trial. All patients were asked to rate the dressing on pain and comfort.

Results

No bacterial growth was reported. The average price of each apron is 3 pence and patients reported that their use was comfortable, painless and quick. The plastic apron was popular with our outreach nursing team (responsible for applying full dressings post ward round) who reported always finding one with ease.

Conclusions

Polyethylene aprons are widely available in all clinical areas. We found no evidence that they are colonised with or harbour bacteria at the point when taken from the roll. They are inexpensive, easy to handle, waterproof and in our experience, do not adhere to wounds. In addition, no specialty specific knowledge or training is required for their use. We believe these qualities make the polyethylene apron an ideal temporary dressing.

Level of Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic study