Faster wound healing in dermal burns : honey dressings versus silver dressings

Abstract

Overview of the topic: The evidence (Zbuchea, 2014 & Yoghoobi at al. 2013) indicates that honey dressings have similar properties to silver dressings and can be efficient as an antibacterial product enhancing epithelialization and thus resulting in faster wound healing. However, in Malta, honey dressings are not offered on the national health formulary and are therefore, not a dressing of choice when treating dermal wounds. This dissertation will look into which dressing between honey and silver dressings is more effective in the healing of dermal burns. Research Question: In dermal wounds, do honey dressings rather than silver dressings accelerate wound healing? PICO elements: The population studied was individuals with dermal burns. The intervention observed was the use of honey dressings as burn treatment and the comparison was silver dressings. The desired outcome was faster wound healing. Method: The PICO elements were used to form keywords to use during the search strategy. Databases used are EBSCOhost, ProQuest, SCOPUS, Hydi and ReseachGate. Limiters were used to reduce the number of hits. The PRISMA (Table 2.1) was used to screen and exclude the articles, with the aid of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Then the Critical Appraisal Skills Programmed (CASP) tools were used to critically appraise the literature. Results: A total of five studies were chosen for this dissertation; two Systematic Reviews (SR) and three Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT). Conclusion: A definite conclusion cannot be provided since there were various limitations for the selected studies. However, this dissertation showed the beneficial use of honey dressings when treating dermal burns. Notwithstanding this, to answer the PICO question, further research is needed. Implications and recommendations: recommendations for further research include: conducting research in Malta, comparing different types of honey with silver dressings, and conducting studies with larger sample sizes. Additionally, honey dressings should be available in the hospital and further awareness on its benefits should be made available to all health care practitioners including (HCP), educators and students. Additionally, policies need to be updated to include honey dressings in the management of dermal burns.