UK NICE publishes Medtech Innovation Briefing on Mepilex Border dressings for preventing pressure ulcers

The UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has issued a Medtech Innovation Briefing (MIB) on the Mölnlycke Mepilex® Border dressings for preventing pressure ulcers. This is the first and only MIB to be published by NICE on a dressing for pressure ulcer prevention.

Molnlycke’s proprietary design of Mepilex® Border Heel and Sacrum with Deep Defense technology™ has been proven to protect a patient’s most vulnerable areas against extrinsic factors associated with pressure ulcers – including pressure, shear, friction and microclimate    .

As part of the NICE MIB, a full literature search was conducted and data from the randomised controlled trials of Mepilex Border were reviewed  .The data show that Mepilex Border dressings can reduce the incidence of hospital acquired pressure ulcers by up to 88%  . The briefing states that standard care plus Mepilex Border is more effective than standard care alone in preventing pressure ulcers .  

Pressure ulcers are painful and debilitating for patients and cost the NHS upwards of £1.2bn a year to treat. Avoidable pressure ulcers are a key indicator of the quality and experience of patient care and thus pressure ulcer prevention and reduction is a high priority for the NHS  . The MIB reports that the additional cost to standard care of using Mepilex Border dressings to prevent pressure ulcers could be offset if using the dressings reduced the severity or incidence of pressure ulcers  .

As part of the briefing, NICE asked clinical experts to comment on the technology – all of the experts identified that Mepilex Border dressings would have an incremental benefit in reducing pressure ulcers and also noted reduction in shear, friction and moisture-related injuries and hospital length of stay as potential system benefits . One clinical expert states that they had seen no pressure ulcers in their practice since the introduction of Mepilex Border dressings.

NICE Medtech Innovation Briefings (MIBs) are designed to support NHS and social care commissioners and staff who are considering using new medical devices and other medical or diagnostic technologies. The information provided includes a description of the technology, how it is used and its potential role in the care pathway .

MIBs are commissioned by NHS England and produced in support of the NHS 5 Year Forward View, specifically as one of a number of steps which will accelerate innovation in new treatments and diagnostics.  NICE is scheduled to review their ‘Pressure Ulcers: prevention and management guidance’ in 2018 .

View here the MIB for Mepilex Border dressings

Media enquiries:

Liz Neal
Mölnlycke Communications
Liz.neal@molnlycke.com
Tel: +44 77 8743 2560

About Mölnlycke

Mölnlycke is a world leading medical solutions company.  Our purpose is to advance performance in healthcare across the world. That is why we aspire to equip everybody in healthcare with solutions to achieve the best outcomes. We develop and bring to market innovative wound care and surgical solutions along the entire continuum of care – from prevention to post-acute settings. Our solutions provide value for money, supported by clinical and health economic evidence.