New Products and Industry News

   Polyurethane membrane dressing makes its debut

   Ferris Mfg. Corp. (Burr Ridge, Ill.) announces the addition of a new product to the PolyMem(R) family of dressings - PolyMax(TM).

   The new product is a thicker version of PolyMem(R), a hydrophilic polyurethane membrane with semipermeable thin film backing. Sixty percent more absorbent than its low profile predecessor, the new product also extends the time and reduces the number of necessary dressing changes - important elements for managing deep, extensive wounds.

   For information on all Ferris products, visit their website, www.FerrisCares.com, or call (800) 633-2399. 

Controlled-release silver powder offers chronic wound care alternative

   Medline Industries, Inc (Mundelein, Ill.) recently launched an alternative form of its Arglaes film dressing -Arglaes in a powder form. The product has even greater application in helping to fight antibiotic resistant bacteria, especially in deep, hard-to-treat wounds. It has no known resistance, no known major side effects, and maintains an effective antimicrobial barrier for up to 5 days. Utilizing controlled-release polymers, it delivers a constant stream of antimicrobial silver ions into the wound, creating a barrier environment hostile to most known bacteria and fungi that remains completely safe to healthy cells. It also contains alginate to aid in fluid handling. As the powder mixes with wound exudate (fluid), it turns into a gel that adheres to the wound bed and is easily removed during wound irrigation, making it ideal for use on difficult-to-dress exudating (wet) wounds where a traditional dressing may be difficult to apply. Applicable wound types include: pressure ulcers, arterial ulcers, venous ulcers, diabetic ulcers, donor sites, dermal lesions, trauma injuries and incisions and minor burns.

   More information about Medline products can be found at www.medline.com.

New vacuum-assisted closure devise introduced

   Kinetic Concepts Inc. (KCI, San Antonio, Tex.) presented its new V.A.C.ATS system at a recent meeting of wound, ostomy, and continence professionals. The new model utilizes the company's patented T.R.A.C.(TM) (Therapeutic Regulated Accurate Care) technology that monitors and maintains target pressure. The new device also uses the new T.R.A.C(TM) Pad that makes dressing changes easier. Vacuum-assisted therapy has been proven a clinical and cost effective way to treat chronic and traumatic wounds in hospitals, in extended care facilities, and in the home because it helps promote healing in otherwise unresponsive wounds and helps diminish the threat of increased morbidity associated with unhealed wounds. Vacuum-assisted therapy is covered by Medicare B and many managed care organizations for qualifying patients.

   For more information, visit www.woundvac.com or call (877) WOUNDVAC, Ext. 2001. -

Easy-to-prepare pureed fruits have appeal and flavor

   Clinicians can both nourish their patients with great tasting, attractive pureed fruit and benefit from the product's ease of preparation and consistency of texture. Thick and Easy(R) Pureed Shaped Fruits from Hormel HealthLabs (Austin, Minn.) provide appetizing texture-modified fruit, which is visually appealing and nutritionally complete. Thick and Easy Pureed Shaped Fruits eliminate staff preparation time because everything has already been done. Clinicians are required only to thaw, plate, and serve. The fruit products are packaged in 48 molded portions per case. Patients with swallowing disorders will appreciate the wide variety of flavors, including mixed berry, peaches, pears, pineapple, and strawberry. The Thick and Easy products offer 100% yield and their highly palatable taste means patients will eat more, which will lead to better nutritional status and lowered medical costs.

   For more information on Thick and Easy Pureed Shaped Fruits from Hormel HealthLabs, call (800) 866-7757 or visit www.hormelhealthlabs.com.

Continuing healthcare program available

   Healthpoint, Ltd. (Fort Worth, Tex.) announced its schedule for the Continuing Education series "Innovations and Treatment Strategies in Wound Care," a nationwide effort to provide healthcare practitioners with the most up-to-date information on current trends, cutting-edge approaches, and innovations in the evolving field of wound management. The courses are approved for 1 credit hour toward the AMA Physician's Recognition Award and 2.5 contact hours for nurses.

   Current dates and locations throughout the country include:
 Central Program Date: August 22
 Type of Program: CNE/CME
 Registration Deadline: August 15 
Location: Embassy Suites Hotel 7901 34th Avenue South Bloomington, MN 55425

 East Coast Program Date: October 9
 Type of Program: CNE 
Registration Deadline: September 25
 Location: Crowne Plaza La Guardia 104-04 Ditmars Blvd E. Elmhurst, NY 11369 The syllabus generally covers:
* Principles of chronic wound management
* Outdated treatment modalities
* Factors that influence dressing selection
* Treatment options for wounds
* Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement for various wound care products
* Criteria for choosing appropriate wound dressings for non-infected, stage II-IV wounds
* Wound case studies 

The symposium schedule is subject to change. 

   For details, registration for summer courses, or for information on other programs in Healthpoint's Educational Series, please contact Laurie Locey (800) 213-9574, x4213 or email Laurie.Locey@Healthpoint.com.

OWM editorial advisory board member receives award

   Diane Kaschak Newman, RNC, MSN, FAAN, co-director of the PENN Center for Continence and Pelvic Health in the Division of Urology at the University of Pennsylvania, received the inaugural "Continence Care Champion" award presented by The National Association For Continence (NAFC). Launched at the Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates (SUNA) 33rd Annual Conference in May, 2002, in Orlando, Florida, the award is accompanied by an unrestricted grant of $1,500. Sponsored by Eli Lilly and Company, the award is presented to a SUNA member who has excelled in three areas: 1) in research - or supporting the role that research plays; 2) in clinical practice - his or her own practice or in enhancing the clinical practices of others; and 3) in education - either that of consumers as patients or professionals as peers or both. "Diane Newman embodies the passion, dedication, and accomplishments of this entire organization in such a way that NAFC hopes this award will inspire the achievements of others," commented Executive Director Nancy Muller. - OWM FDA-approved wound gel sales and marketing to begin in early August 2002 LAM Pharmaceutical, Corp. has completed its plans for the marketing of its breakthrough wound care product, LAM IPM Wound Gel(R). Distribution specialists are in place to ship and invoice the product to a wide group of potential purchasers including home healthcare organizations; nursing homes; hospital wound care clinics; podiatrists; dermatologists; privately owned wound care clinics; and a significant number of the busiest office-based healthcare professionals. In addition, the gel is the first product to be judged 89% effective (clinical trial results available on written request) by leading experts and opinion leaders in the fastest growing area of medicine. The product is approved for diabetic ulcers, venous stasis ulcers, pressure ulcers, and debrided wounds.

   For more information on this and other LAM products, email info@lampharm.com or visit www.lampharm.com.