Acticoat Absorbent Dressings 4" x 5" (10 cm x 12.5 cm) Box/5

Description A dressing utilizing advanced silver technology to help create an optimal wound environment. Features Easy to remove Conforms to wound contours Fast gelling, high mannuronic acid fibers Low fiber shed High wet and dry strength Soft and conformable The nanocrystalline coating of pure silver delivers antimicrobial barrier activity within 30 minutes - faster than other forms of silver. NUCRYST Pharmaceutical's antimicrobial technology is able to produce silver-coated hydrophilic polyurethane foams that can release an effective concentration of silver over several days. Thus, as silver ions are consumed, additional silver is released from the dressing to provide an effective antimicrobial barrier. This patented silver-based antimicrobial technology can be applied to a wide range of medical devices including wound dressings, certain types of catheters and various implants to prevent infection. This technology was first applied to burn wound dressings because burns present a very severe risk of infection. Benefits *Antimicrobial barrier ACTICOAT Absorbent Dressings deliver a fast-acting, long-lasting antimicrobial barrier which may assist in preventing contamination of the wound. *Kills micro-organisms Laboratory studies show that ACTICOAT Absorbent Dressings kill micro-organisms faster than conventional products such as silver sulfadiazine (1 percent cream) or silver nitrate (0.5%) solution. It has also been shown in-vitro to provide protection against more than 150 pathogens. The pathogens tested in the lab include very resistant strains of bacteria such as antibiotic-resistant strains of Pseudomonas, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus and fungi. These pathogens have been known to sweep through a hospital and infect a great many patients with already weakened immune systems. Infections contracted during hospitalization caused by these so-called superbugs and other organisms cost North American taxpayers an estimated $18 billion a year in additional hospital care. *Easy to remove When used in a moderate to highly exuding wound, the dressing forms a soft gel, which does not adhere to the delicate tissues in the wound bed. The dressing can be easily lifted out of the wound in one piece, or washed out with sterile water. *Conforms to wound contours ACTICOAT Absorbent Dressings are very soft and conformable, allowing them to be molded, folded or cut to meet a wide range of wound shapes and sizes. As the fibers gel, an even more intimate contact with the wound is produced and maintained. *Less fiber shed All fiber-based alginates release fibers when handled, however the advanced bonding technique employed in ACTICOAT Absorbent Dressings greatly reduces fiber release. *Moist wound environment The production of a gel by the action of exudate on the alginate fibers creates a moist wound environment at the wound surface. This helps prevent eschar formation and promotes an optimal moist wound environment. The dressing allows wound contraction to occur, which may help reduce scarring and also allows gaseous exchange necessary for a healthy wound bed. *Highly absorbent and cost-effective In-vitro studies have shown that ACTICOAT Absorbent Dressings can absorb many times their own weight in exudate. This allows the dressing to remain in the wound for up to 3 days, depending on the nature of the wound and the volume of exudate. The sustained release of silver also means fewer dressing changes, resulting in less exposure of the wound bed to the environment. This reduces the risk of infection which lowers hospital costs. Indications ACTICOAT Absorbent Antimicrobial Barrier Dressing is an effective barrier to bacterial penetration. The barrier functions of the dressing may help reduce infection in moderately to heavily exuding partial and full-thickness wounds including decubitus ulcers, venous stasis ulcers, surgical wounds, first- and second-degree burns, grafts and donor sites. Precautions Ensure that the packing in cavities, sinuses etc. has been removed. The dressing may adhere if used on very lightly exuding wounds. If the dressing is not easily removed, moisten it with sterile water, then remove. Do not use on patients with a known allergy to alginates. In patients undergoing MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) ACTICOAT must be removed from the area within the anatomical field being imaged. If ACTICOAT is being used on any area not within the image field, it may remain in place during the MRI. Instructions For Use: 1. Cleanse the wound using conventional, non oil-based techniques and leave the wound moist. 2. Remove ACTICOAT Absorbent Dressing from the package. 3. Apply the dressing to the wound, either side down, and secure with an appropriate secondary dressing that will maintain a moist environment. 4. Ensure the dressing remains moist, but not so wet that tissue maceration occurs. 5. Change the dressing depending on the amount of exudate and the condition of the wound.If the dressing dries and adheres to the wound, moisten or soak the dressing prior to removal. 6. Avoid forceful removal of the dressing and disruption of the healing wound.