New Products and Industry News

F.R.A.I.L. report addresses issues regarding the infirm and elderly

   Healthpoint (Fort Worth, Tex.), sponsor of the For Recognition of the Adult Immobilized Life (F.R.A.I.L.) panel that was established to acknowledge the issues of severely compromised elderly patients, released a report that addresses the need to understand the meaning of frail and how it impacts providing care.

Because they often are a tangible sign of physical deterioration as end of life approaches, wounds are an important topic in this report. The authors are leaders in the development of palliative care concepts and include Oscar M. Alvarez, PhD; George Rodeheaver, PhD; Adolfo Fernandez-Ogregon, MD; Frank D. Ferris, MD; Marge Meehan, RN, MIM; David R. Thomas, MD, FACP; Judith J. Baker, PhD; William Ennis, DO; Karen Lou Kennedy, RN, CS, FNP; Marianne Bradley, MS, RN, CWOCN; Roisin Rogers, RN, MSN, CWCN; and Joseph Moylan, MD.

   In addition to recognizing the needs of this patient population, the report hopes to identify gaps in care and initiate academic and clinical dialogue on nonhealing wounds, with particular attention to a palliative management approach. The report has been published as a supplement to the October issue of WOUNDS and is also available at www.frailcare.org.

Gaymar Industries acquires Waterloo Bedding

   Gaymar Industries (Orchard Park, NY) has acquired Waterloo Bedding Company Ltd., (Waterloo, Ontario, Canada). Waterloo Bedding has a long history of manufacturing a significant portion of Gaymar's non-powered mattress replacement products and more recently, distributing some of Gaymar's products in the Canadian market.

   For more information, call (800) 828-7341 or visit www.gaymar.com.

Research award winner explores skin barrier formation

   Dennis R. Roop, PhD, Director of the Center for Cutaneous Molecular Biology and Professor of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Dermatology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Tex. was awarded the C.E.R.I.E.S. 2002 Research Award for his proposed research project to explore the role of p63 (gene) in epidermal development. The family of proteins that includes p63 contributes to tumor suppression and embryonic development. Dr. Roop's past efforts focused on the role of these proteins during tissue homeostasis and keratinocyte differentiation; now he will address their role in molecular regulation and the formation of an intact epidermal barrier.

   OWM congratulations Dr. Roop and wishes him continued success in his endeavors.

Medline and Dial team up for care

   Medline Industries (Mundelein, Ill). and The Dial Corporation (Scottsdale, Ariz.) have forged an agreement to provide high quality skin care products for healthcare professionals. Medline's clinical staff will work with Dial to develop and design the complete line of hand care products that will be sold under the name of Protection Plus® Soap by Dial. Medline will handle marketing and distribution and Dial will manufacture the line. The line will be co-branded featuring packaging that displays the logos of both Medline and Dial.

   The new line includes: Protection Plus® Antimicrobial Soap (a clear antimicrobial soap effective against a broad spectrum of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, yeast, and mold); Protection Plus® Enriched Lotion Soap (helps replenish moisture lost with frequent hand washing); and Protection Plus® Body + Hair Shampoo (cleanses the entire body and hair). The soaps in available in flip top, pump, bag for wall dispensers, and gallon containers, and the shampoo comes in a pump, bag for wall dispensers, and gallon containers.

   For more information, visit www.medline.com.

Anniversary celebrated with bigger unit size

   Coloplast Corp. (Atlanta, Ga.) has increased the packaging size of Sween Cream units by 50% to celebrate the product's 30th anniversary. The company is offering the new sizes, without a corresponding price increase, to help its customers control costs. The new packaging became available in October. The product combines four non-occlusive moisturizers with natural vitamins A and D to provide moisturization. It is available through all distribution channels in packets, tubes, bottles and jars.

   For information, contact Randy Schwartz at usrjs@coloplast.com or call (770) 281-8530.

Body cleansing system comes in re-sealable package

   Precision Dynamics Corporation (San Fernando, Calif.) introduced a new re-sealable package for the Redi+Wash total body cleansing system for added convenience and cost efficiency. The all-in-one packaging eliminates the need for rinsing, towel drying, and lotion application, reducing bathing time. The thick cloths are saturated with a gentle, no-rinse cleanser and a moisturizing lotion to provide one-step cleansing for the entire body, including the face. The cloths are disposable, eliminating the re-applying of potentially contaminated water to skin from wash basins and reducing the potential for cross-contamination. The cleansing solution contains an antimicrobial preservative system to guarantee each cloth is fresh.

   The re-sealable and single-use cleansing systems are available in packages of four or eight and can be heated or cooled for patient comfort.

   For additional information, visit www.pdcorp.com.

Documentation/clinical procedures on CD-ROM program

   Briggs Corporation (Des Moines, Iowa) offers HealPROtocols™, the first electronic solution to incorporate documentation and clinical procedures, to help provide consistent, reliable, predictable care and eliminate inconsistency. The program includes a series of 11 wound management protocols that can be personalized to the organization and products that support particular formularies.

   For further information, call (800) 247-2343.