New Products and Industry News
New wound dressing helps manage at-risk, infected wounds
ConvaTec (Skillman, NJ) introduced AQUACEL® Ag EXTRA™ wound dressing at the Fall Symposium on Advanced Wound Care in Baltimore, MD. The new dressing incorporates strengthening fibers, making it especially appropriate for managing highly exuding wounds needing strength and absorbency. The wound dressings also incorporate the antimicrobial action of ionic silver.
The new dressings come in four sizes: 2" x 2" (5 cm x 5 cm), 4"x 5" (10 cm x 12 cm), 6" x 6" (15 cm x 15 cm), and 8" x 12" (20 cm x 30 cm).
For more information, visit www.convatec.com.
Phase III trial of cell-based therapy for venous leg ulcers initiated
Healthpoint Biotherapeutics (Fort Worth, TX) announced the initiation of a Phase lll clinical trial investigating the efficacy of HP802-247 for the treatment of venous leg ulcers. HP802-247 is an investigational allogeneic living-cell bioformulation containing keratinocytes and fibroblasts. The study is designed to evaluate complete wound closure in subjects receiving HP802- 247 plus compression therapy compared to those receiving vehicle control plus compression therapy over the 12-week treatment period.
For more information, visit www.healthpointbio.com.
New ostomy pouch provides better body fit
Coloplast (Minneapolis, MN) launched its new ostomy product, SenSura® Mio, an ostomy pouch that promises a better body fit and a greater feeling of security for patients with a colostomy. Fit and security are achieved using the company’s innovative BodyFit™ Technology, a pliable new elastic adhesive that is first of its kind in the ostomy medical devices industry.
Many patients have irregular abdominal surfaces, making it difficult to achieve a secure fit between the ostomy pouch and the skin. This device complies with the curves of the patient’s body, including uneven surfaces due to a hernia, scarring, skin folds, or a weight issue.
For more information, visit www.coloplast.com.
Patient turning, repositioning is a challenge for nurses
Recent surveys of more than 500 critical care and wound care nurses confirmed that turning and repositioning patients are challenging and put them at risk for injury. Sage Products Inc (Cary, IL) conducted the surveys at the 2012 American Association of Critical Care Nurses National Teaching Institute in May and at the 2012 Wound Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society Annual Conference in June.
Survey results showed the majority of facilities (93%) turn their patients every 2 hours. When asked about compliance to their facility’s turning protocol, 60% of wound care nurses said they believe their protocol is followed “well.” However, 58% of critical care nurses surveyed said achieving their unit’s turning protocol was “difficult”, and 19% said it was “very difficult.”
For more information, visit www.sageproducts.com.
NHS Chain Framework Agreement inclusion and UK Drug Tariff reimbursement awarded to NPWT company
Spiracur Inc (Sunnyvale, CA) has been included on the NHS Supply Chain Framework Agreement for the provision of advanced wound care, including its suite of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) solutions. In addition, the company announced it has been granted reimbursement status for its SNaP® Wound Care System and listed on the UK Drug Tariff effective October 1, 2012.
For more information, visit www.spiracur.com.
Pressure ulcer prevention program recognized
Healthpoint Biotherapeutics (Fort Worth, TX) was named a 2012 Bronze STEVIE® Award Winner for the Video-Training category in The 10th Annual American Business Awards. The award was granted for the SENSES Program, a training DVD with accompanying poster, training card, and recognition pins, developed to educate caregivers in the long-term care setting on how to recognize the signs of potential pressure ulcer development.
The Program utilizes natural senses to identify pressure ulcer risk during routine patient care, including Look, Listen, Smell, and Touch, as well as Share observations with colleagues and ensure documentation. This simple program is the first step to identify pressure ulcer risk and improve patient lives.
For more information, visit www.stevieawards.com.
Single-patient, lateral air transfer system available
RecoverCare® LLC (Louisville, KY) introduced the Air Pod™, a single-patient use lateral air transfer system. The product uses a pump to force air into a perforated mattress, creating a cushion of air that allows one or two caregivers to easily transfer or reposition the patient. The air cushion greatly reduces the amount of force necessary in lateral patient transfer, thus reducing the risk of caregiver injury as well as staff and worker compensation claims. As a disposable product with antimicrobial properties, the system also aids in infection control.
For more information, visit www.recovercare.com.
Exclusive sponsorship gained for new wound care app
WellDyne Health (Centennial, CO) will exclusively sponsor WoundSmart™, a professional wound care documentation tool bringing mobile wound documentation directly to a wound professional’s iPhone® or iPad®.
The tool maintains a record of a wound’s progress, including size and depth, wound and periwound characteristics, grade, drainage, wound procedures, interventions, signs of infection, laboratory values, and radiographic findings in addition to pictorial documentation.
For more information, visit www.welldyne.com.
This article was not subject to the Ostomy Wound Management peer-review process.
