Summary
An evaluation of copper dressings in people with hard-to-heal wounds previously treated with silver dressings. The article considers wound size, pain, daily function and treatment costs during the change in care.
- Study type
- Clinical evaluation
- Study size
- 4 patients with wounds of six to nine months’ duration
Before the change, each patient had been treated in hospital with silver dressings for six to nine weeks without significant improvement. There was no comparison group.
Key findings
- All four wounds reduced in size by at least 50% within seven days of starting copper dressings.
- All four wounds were fully closed by week four.
- Average pain scores fell from 4.75 to 0.25.
- Patients reported better mobility and daily function.
- In the author’s cost analysis, average treatment costs fell from £2,606 to £365 (86% lower).