New Products and Industry News

Chronic hygiene dermatitis relief product available

   Care-Tech® Laboratories, Inc. (St. Louis, Mo.) announced the availability of Care-Crème®, an antimicrobial, transdermal cream that relieves redness, irritation, and the chemical burn induced by alcohol hygiene procedures. Broad-spectrum antimicrobial action eliminates Gram-negative and Gram-positive organisms, yeast, and fungi to prevent site infection and reduce the risk of cross-contamination to allow for faster healing and patient release. The product contains vitamins A, D, and E, which enhance free radical elimination, and offers an alterative to triple antibiotic ointments that may be contraindicated and cause additional dermatitis.

   The cream is available through Owens + Minor, Allegiance, McKesson/General Medical, Physicians Sales + Service, and Gulf South Medical Supply.

   For information, call (800) 325-9681 or visit www.caretechlabs.com.

New dressing handles two moisture issues

   PDI Medical Devices + Diagnostics (Upper Saddle River, NJ) has launched XCell® Cellulose Wound Dressing, a product that hydrates the wound and absorbs moisture equally to maintain the optimum moisture balance for wound healing. It is bioengineered to do both simultaneously or separately as needed in different wound areas. Indicated to promote autolytic debridement, the product can be used up to 7 days without changing.

   For information, call (888) GET-XCELL or visit www.xcellwoundcare.com.

Suspension pad features lower friction backing

   DM Systems (Evanston, Ill.) has redesigned its Elbowlift™ suspension pad for the prevention of elbow discomfort and injuries. The new design includes a complete edge-to-edge backing of low-friction, tricot that now covers the center hole so the foam will not catch on surfaces. The one-size-fits-all product is made of soft, firm, medical-grade foam with smooth surfaces and features two soft foam columns that transfer pressure to the arm and forearm while maintaining the elbow position over the center hole. When the elbow remains in the optimum position, the center hole and pads relieve pressure on the elbow tip, ensuring maximum protection.

   The product also has an adjustable, well-padded, soft hook-and-loop strap that wraps around the outside to keep the product firmly in place. The strap will not interfere with intravenous access.

   For more information, call (800) 254-5438 or visit www.dmsystems.com.

Protective underwear and disposable washcloths series expand

   First Quality Products (Great Neck, NY) introduced Prevail® Refastenable Protective Underwear, a pull-on underwear product with a refastenable hook-and-loop closure system. In addition to providing the wearer dignity, product is easily pulled on and a hook-and-loop closure system negates the need to remove pants and shoes for changing. The product series provides moderate- to-heavy incontinence protection for women and men and features a soft, stretchable, cloth-like back sheet with the look and feel of underwear that provides secure and comfortable fit. The interior of the product incorporates the latest AZS™ targeted absorbent technology to quickly draw fluid away from the wearer's skin into a super-absorbent material to ensure the highest quality skin care.

   The series is offered in three standard sizes, with various absorbency options. The PV-511 is a Youth/Small size that fits a waist size from 20" to 34". The medium size fits 34" to 44" waists and is available as PV-512 with regular absorbency; PVS-512 with super absorbency; and the PVR-512 that features refastenable tape. The large size fits waists from 44" to 58" and is available as the standard PV-513; PVS-513, super absorbent; and refastenable PVR-513.

   Youth series protective underwear is available under All-Nites™ brand name for older children who suffer from bed-wetting. This moderate-to-heavy protection incontinence product contains the same features as the adult protective underwear products, plus leakage control guards. It is available in two sizes: the PV-112 for a youth medium wearer of 45 to 70 lb and the PV-113 for a large/extra-large wearer who weighs more than 70 lb.

   The company also now has a variety of adult and baby disposable washcloth products. The product line expansion includes a Premium Spunlace product, jumbo-sized tub, and refill packaging of the currently available Prevail® Disposable Washcloths, Cuties® Baby Wipe Travel package, and Scented or Unscented Cuties® Baby Wipes in single hand dispensing tubs.

   Clinically tested to be mild on the skin, the cloths contain aloe for skin care and are 100% latex free. The premium washcloths are available in a single-hand dispensing™ tub that has a specially designed lid to retain moisture. The enclosed tub design dispenses one wash-cloth at a time for less waste, decreases product exposure to airborne contaminates, and eliminates cross contamination. The washcloths are identified by product code WW-901 and are available in tubs of 96, six tubs to a case, for a 576 case count. The company's popular standard washcloths are available in a Jumbo Pack (product code WW-703) that comes in a tub of 96, six tubs to a case, for a 576 case count. The jumbo-sized refill pack (WW-713) is packaged 96 pieces to a pack, six refills to a case.

   New Cuties™ Baby Wipes Travel Packs and Scented or Unscented Cuties™ Baby Wipes are available in single-hand dispensing tubs. The wipes measure 8" x 5", contain aloe to promote skin care, and have been clinically tested for mildness. The travel packs come in a resealable 80-count soft package that fits into the palm of an average adult hand. They are available in cases of 24 packs, 1,920 case count.

   For additional information, please contact call (800) 227-3551, ext. 4418, or visit www.firstquality.com.

Matrix wound dressing receives reimbursement coding

   Johnson + Johnson Wound Management (Somerville, NJ) announced that Promogran™ Matrix has been assigned to the collagen category by Statistical Analysis Durable Medical Equipment Regional Carrier (SADMERC) who has verified the use of the following Health Care Financing Administration's Common Procedural Coding System (HCPCS) codes A6021 and A6022 for Part-B Medicare reimbursement. The fee schedule ranges up to approximately $21.00 per application.

   The product is an advanced wound care device comprised of a sterile, freeze-dried matrix composite of 45% ORC and 55% collagen. It maintains a physiologically moist micro-environment at the wound surface. This environment is conducive to tissue granulation, epithelialization, and rapid wound healing. The product not only promotes an optimal environment for moist wound healing, but it also binds matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) and allows growth factors like platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) to act effectively. In the presence of exudate, the product transforms into a soft, conformable, biodegradable gel; thus, allowing contact with all areas of the wound. The product is indicated for the management of multiple wound types including, but not limited to diabetic ulcers, venous ulcers and pressure ulcers.

   For additional information about the product, visit www.promogran.com.

Surgical scrub meets CDC guidelines

   Healthpoint (Fort Worth, Tex.) has pumped up production of Triseptin®, an alcohol-based surgical scrub that fulfills CDC recommendations for surgical scrubbing with just one product. The CDC report, "Guideline for Hand Hygiene in Health Care Settings," recommends that alcohol-based products used as surgical scrubs should contain an ingredient to provide persistent activity and that clinicians should pre-wash with non-antimicrobial soap (surfactant) and water. The company's product, the first brush-free alcohol surgical scrub marketed in the U.S., has the recommended prolonged antimicrobial action as well as surfactants; thus, eliminating the need for additional prewash products.

   For more information, visit www.healthpoint.com. 

Poland burn center expands hyperbaric capability

   Environmental Tectonics Corporation (ETC, Southampton, Pa.) announced that the National Burns Center, Siemianowice, Poland, purchased a second unit after successfully integrating an ETC Bara-Med® monoplace hyperbaric chamber into its clinical management program; thus, increasing the number of patients that can be treated.

   The first chamber was donated by a mining company to provide adjunctive hyperbaric therapy for victims badly burned in a methane explosion in late March 2002. ETC worked very closely with the hospital to train clinical staff in hyperbaric medicine and chamber operation. This alliance not only contributed to successful outcomes for the burn victims treated initially, but also enabled the hospital to quickly broaden its hyperbaric program, using the chamber to provide adjunctive therapy for other critical conditions such as necrotizing fasciitis.

   For information, call (215) 355-9100, ext.1203, email: ddeaner@etcusa.com, or visit www.etcbiomedical.com. 

Organogenesis requests settlement agreement

   Organogenesis Inc. (Canton, Mass.) has asked the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Massachusetts to approve a settlement and related agreements between the Company and Novartis Pharma AG. The agreements settle claims between them and establish certain new production, supply, and licensing arrangements related to the relaunch of Apligraf® living skin substitute, Organogenesis' lead product, and authorize a debtor in possession (DIP) financing agreement with Novartis. Organogenesis previously filed a voluntary petition for reorganization under the Bankruptcy Code.

   As part of the new settlement arrangements and DIP financing agreement, Novartis will provide up to $3.0 million in DIP financing to the Organogenesis. Novartis has agreed to grant Organogenesis an exclusive license to use the Apligraf trademark and the exclusive right to market and distribute the Apligraf product once a plan of reorganization is confirmed. Before confirmation, until June 17, 2003, Novartis will continue to market the Apligraf product. Novartis has agreed to purchase from Organogenesis a minimum weekly amount of Apligraf product until June 17, 2003, and Organogenesis will be entitled to market the Apligraf product itself under the Apligraf trademark thereafter. The settlement agreement also provides that Novartis' claim under a $10 million principal amount convertible note of Organogenesis will be allowed and shall not be subject to equitable or other subordination or recharacterization of any ground.

   Until the supply of Apligraf resumes, Novartis has set up a hotline to help answer questions and assist patients and physicians during this transition period. The hotline number is (888) 432-5232.

Healthpoint awarded 3-year purchasing agreement

   MedAssets HSCA, Inc. (St. Louis, Mo.), a large group purchasing organization, awarded Healthpoint® (Fort Worth, Tex.) a 3-year purchasing agreement for a host of products including Accuzyme and Panafil. The agreement is the first between the two companies.

   For more information, please visit www.healthpoint.com.