AQUACEL Ag HYDROFIBER ROPE WITH SILVER WOUND DRESSING

AQUACEL ® Ag Hydrofiber ® Wound Dressing with lonic Silver is indicated for moderate to high exuding wounds which are infected or at risk of infection.

Because it is the only antimicrobial dressing that incorporates Hydrofiber® Technology, it:

• Releases ionic silver in a controlled manner as wound exudate is absorbed into the dressing
• May help protect periwound skin by helping reduce the risk of maceration
• Is soft and conformable
• Supports wound healing by providing a moist wound healing environment
• AQUACEL ® Ag Hydrofiber ® Wound Dressing with lonic Silver provides rapid and sustained antimicrobial activity in vitro.
• As demonstrated in in vitro testing, AQUACEL ® Ag Hydrofiber ® Wound Dressing with lonic Silver provides sustained antimicrobial activity for up to 7 days.

Application

Carefully cleanse the wound with saline and dry the surrounding skin before placing AQUACEL® dressing directly onto the wound allowing an overlap onto the surrounding skin of at least 1cm.

For cavity wounds, loosely pack AQUACEL® dressing ribbon to about 80% capacity leaving at least 2.5cm outside the wound for easy retrieval.

The AQUACEL® dressing should then be covered with an appropriate moisture retentive secondary dressing such as, but not limited to, Versiva® XC® dressing, DuoDERM® CGF™ dressing, DuoDERM® Extra Thin CGF™ dressing, or DuoDERM® Signal® dressing.

General Information

-           Hydrofiber   

Exudate Management – For moderately to heavily exuding wounds

AQUACEL® dressing is the original Hydrofiber® dressing, a technology unique to ConvaTec. The Hydrofiber® dressing is made up of 100% Sodium Carboxymethyl-cellulose and converts to a soft gel when in contact with wound exudate, which maintains a moist wound environment that

supports the body’s healing process. The unique gelling action of Hydrofiber® fibres absorb and retain exudate and lock away harmful components contained within wound exudate, such as bacteria and proteinases. The ability of AQUACEL® dressing to retain and absorb exudate is higher than some alginates and gauze giving longer wear time, leading to fewer dressings changes, reduced nursing time and lower overall wound care cost.

-           Silver

• provides rapid and sustained antimicrobial activity.
• provides sustained antimicrobial activity for up to 7 days.
• is effective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus over 7 days.

Ionic silver starts killing a broad spectrum of pathogens within 30 minutes of exposure to the dressing as demonstrated by in vitro testing, including MRSA and VRE

Silver is a proven antimicrobial in the management of infected wounds and wounds at risk of infection, when used in a protocol of care.

Hence, Proactive use of silver dressings inhibits the progression of bacterial penetration and can be effective against MRSA and most other superficial pathogens.

Limitations of other Antibacterial Agents in Comparison:

Some iodine preparations may be:

• Irritating
• Painful to use
• Inhibitive to healing
• Inactivated by wound exudate

Silver sulfadiazine can result in:

• Development of a pseudoeschar
• Inflammation
• Maceration
• Delayed re-epithelialization
• Frequent reapplications
• Gauze can adhere to wounds, causing pain and trauma to the wound bed upon removal