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HomeGrown Solution: Stage IV Pressure Ulcer

Title

Stage IV Pressure Ulcer

Submitted By

Mary Leigh

HomeGrown Solution Number

313

Identification of the Problem

Even low fidelity simulation is expensive. I wanted a simple and inexpensive way for students to replicate simulation at home to practice skills. The end result is durable enough to be used in the simulation lab and easy enough to be made at home, from supplies available around the garage.

Unique Idea

Using just a few supplies, students and educators can use this basic technique to create a multitude of simulated wounds which are durable and very realistic.

Objectives

The nursing student will use the final product to improve wound assessment skills by accurately measuring and describing the wound. The nursing student will use the final product to improve wound dressing change skills by demonstrating the proper technique. The nursing instructor will use the final product to assess the student's ability to assess wounds and change dressings.

Supplies/Ingredients

  1. 100% Silicone Caulk, clear
  2. Spray silicone garage door lubricant
  3. Dish soap
  4. Latex craft paint
  5. Mixing cups and sticks
  6. Rock, suitable size, depth, texture for desired wound
  7. Artist paint brushes
  8. Container to house the wound (video uses bottom of 2 liter soda bottle)

Steps to Creating the Solution

  1. Fill the container with silicone caulk all the way to the top and scrape off excess with a paint stick. Cover the rock and top of silicone with dish soap. Place rock down into the silicone and allow it to sit for 15 minutes.
  2. Remove the rock and continue to allow the silicone to sit another 15 minutes. When a thick skin forms down inside the "wound", gently rinse away the soap and allow it to dry.
  3. Painting: In a small mixing cup, put a few drops of red paint. Squirt a bit of garage door lubricant into the cup and mix. Add a grape size dollop clear silicone and stir. Keep stirring until the texture is smooth. Add additional squirts of garage door lubricant to desired consistency and paint the inner wound. Mix additional colors for slough, bone, and skin. Add colors one at a time, allowing each to dry before adding the next. Work from the deeper areas towards the top. Sponge on the skin color last.
  4. Seal the entire wound with a mixture of clear silicone and just enough garage door lubricant to thin it down. It will take quite a while for all of the silicone to cure. In the meantime, it will give off acetic acid vapors so store in a well-ventilated place.

Images

square container filled with silicone caulk with a rock placed on top of the silicone simulated pressure ulcer created in a square container

Video

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