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New dressing helps reduce need for painful dressing changes

19 Sep '12

4 min read

ConvaTec, a world-leading developer and marketer of innovative medical technologies for community and hospital care, announced the European introduction of the latest products to their most recognized family of wound dressings, AQUACEL BURN and the antimicrobial AQUACEL Ag BURN dressings.

The innovative, new wound dressings are designed to transform the management of partial thickness burns (PTBs) and donor sites. Introduced at the 16th Congress of the International Society for Burn Injuries (ISBI), the dressings incorporate the company's proprietary Hydrofiber Technology, which has been shown in an in vitro study to lock in fluid and trap harmful bacteria and to contour closely to uneven wound surfaces.

It is common practice for patients with PTBs to frequently be subjected to painful dressing changes as often as twice daily, causing severe discomfort and exposing the wound surface to potential infection from a range of deadly pathogens, referred to as 'superbugs' that are rampant in many hospitals today. AQUACEL BURN and AQUACEL Ag BURN dressings, for PTBs, can be left in place for up to 21 days, helping to reduce the need for painful dressing changes and the risk of exposure to deadly pathogens in the atmosphere.

In addition to flat dressings, AQUACEL BURN and AQUACEL Ag BURN dressings are available in a one-of-a-kind Hydrofiber Technology glove for use specifically in PTBs to hands, where a large number of burn injuries occur. The gloves come in a range of sizes from child to adult.

The dressings are reinforced with Nylon stitching to offer patients the maximum flexibility and range of motion that is essential to ensure that the wound heals properly and prevents contracture, while minimizing the risk of infection.

"The design of AQUACEL Ag BURN dressing is like no other dressing on the market. Working with clinicians, we developed a dressing to help patients improve mobility and flexibility during the period when the burn surface must be covered by a dressing," said Jorgen Hansen, Senior Vice President, Global Marketing, Business Development and Innovation. "In vitro studies have shown that our dressings will absorb and hold exudate and deadly bacteria that can prevent healing or increase the risk of infection from the ever-present and increasingly potent superbugs.As the burn heals, the dressings self-detach, inflicting less trauma than traditional dressings to the wound and patient."

The World Health Organization states infections acquired in healthcare settings are the most frequent adverse event in healthcare delivery worldwide. According to a recent European multicentre study, the proportion of infected patients in intensive care units, where burn patients are often treated, can be as high as 51%.

The AQUACEL Ag BURN dressing incorporates the antimicrobial action of ionic silver, well-proven in vitro to kill a broad spectrum of some of the most resistant pathogens, including MRSA, VRE, S. aureus, P.aeruginosa, C. krusei, and B. fragilis. Using the same antimicrobial activity and Hydrofiber Technology as AQUACEL Ag dressings, AQUACEL Ag BURN dressing has been shown to provide activity against antimicrobial resistant bacteria and potentially reduce the risk of infection in vitro.

AQUACEL BURN and AQUACEL Ag BURN dressings have been tested in clinical studies in both the U.S. and in Europe. In all cases, results showed positive advantages related to patient pain at rest, during movement and ease of use.

ConvaTec is the only company to offer wound dressings with Hydrofiber Technology that gel on contact with fluid, providing clinicians and patients with substantial wound care benefits. Used for a wide range of moderate to highly exuding chronic and acute wounds, including surgical, trauma and burn wounds, AQUACEL and AQUACEL Ag dressings are soft, absorbent, non-woven wound dressings available in a variety of shapes, sizes and formats, including foam.

ConvaTec