Chairman’s Choice: “Slip Sliding Away”—The Importance of Quality Performance in Wound Care Products

Abstract

We outline how a change in the manufacturing of an impregnated gauze dressing product impacts upon wound healing and describe the steps taken by the manufacturer and by the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) in the identification and resolution of the problem. After a change in name and manufacturing vendors, the Burn Dressing Team at the UAB Burn Center noted that the newly named product was stretching, rolling, appeared to have more ointment on it, and created sloughing of skin grafts. Using the Seven-Step Method, the manufacturer and the Burn Dressing Team identified the problem and facilitated a process improvement activity. The UAB validated the redesigned product, and the new product was standardized for production and distribution. This experience at UAB demonstrates businesses working together to achieve a common goal. Such process improvement activities are invaluable to healthcare providers for maintaining standards of healthcare and achieving desired patient outcomes.