The promising results from a 12-month NHS trial of Leukomed Sorbact for wound care in caesarean surgery (CS) have been published by NHS Supply Chain. The trial of the product, which is provided by Essity, a leading global hygiene and health company which supplies products from brands including TENA, Tork, and Leukoplast, supports the case for a shift to value-based procurement in healthcare.
 
Global CS rates are on the rise and surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common complications of CS surgery, which can lead to implications including increased use of antibiotics, sepsis, and even morbidity. As such, reducing infection and demand for antibiotics can play a critical role in reducing patient risk and the costly strain on the NHS from further treatment and increasing antimicrobial resistance.
 
The trial at Barking, Havering, and Redbridge University Hospitals Trust (BHRUT) sought to identify whether Leukomed Sorbact, a sterile, single-use, surgical, post-operative film dressing with bacteria-binding properties, could reduce SSI, antibiotic usage, and costs associated with post-CS wound care. Following a two-week training plan delivered by Essity, clinical teams applied Leukomed Sorbact in the operating theatre post-caesarean section from 1 January to 12 December 2022. The trial was led by Michael Magro, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist and Labour Ward Lead, BHRUT. Comparing results to an audit of the previous year at the Trust, the trial saw:
 
·       A 37.7% drop in the rate of SSI
·       Reduction in SSI-related re-admissions by 29.4% (rate) and 38.8% (days when admitted)
·       A 30.4% decrease in antibiotic usage
·       BHRUT save £49,750 on wound care alone (using PLICS data) and £234,784 in associated system-wide costs (the total cost of care).
 
Richard Maddison, public affairs and strategic healthcare manager at Essity, commented:
 
“There are mounting pressures on our national healthcare system, and so innovations that save money over the long-term and promote healthier patient outcomes are crucial. 
 
“What we’ve seen from the results of this trial is that investing in quality dressing for CS wounds reduces the negative repercussions for patients and professionals to handle later down the line – which costs more time, clinical space, and money in turn. As the saying goes, “prioritise prevention over cure”.
 
“This study supports the case for value-based procurement – an approach that involves investing in high-quality products that reduce the need for further medical treatment. A more sustainable long-term solution, that benefits patients, healthcare professionals, and NHS Trusts alike, compared to procuring healthcare supplies based on the individual cost per unit. 
 
“Such long-term thinking is also critical in tackling health issues like antimicrobial resistance as we endeavour to reduce our reliance on antibiotics.”
 
Essity previously made the case for value-based procurement through its incontinence campaign, which found that choosing the cheapest incontinence products alone costs the NHS an extra £520,418,989 annually. 
 
Inspired by this study, the House of Lords introduced an upcoming policy change which will initially provide guidance for NHS Trusts, before making procurement shifts mandatory from Autumn next year.
 
More information on the findings of the Leukomed Sorbact clinical trial can be found on the NHS Supply Chain website. The story of one individual’s experience of using Leukomed Sorbact post-CS can be found on Essity's YouTube channel.