New Products and Industry News

Continence control device receives medical design excellence award

  ConvaTec (Skillman, NJ) recently announced that the Vitala™ Continence Control Device (CCD) has received a 2010 Medical Design Excellence Award. Vitala™ CCD is a non-intrusive device that provides temporary continence to individuals with an end colostomy. This technology, developed and patented by ConvaTec, allows individuals to manage their colostomy without a pouch, belt, or irrigation. Indicated for use up to 8 hours, the device is a single-use, disposable disc, which is worn together with the ConvaTec Natura® skin barrier.

  The pouchless ostomy device functions by sealing against the stoma to prevent release of stool while permitting gasses to vent through an integrated, deodorizing filter. When in use, stool is stored inside the body, negating the need to wear an ostomy pouch. The device’s design not only eliminates the need for a pouch for an extended period of time each day, it also minimizes the noise and odors that sometimes accompany pouch use. The device’s discreet low profile also helps make the presence of an ostomy less noticeable. Currently available in select European markets, the device recently received 510(k) clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration and will be previewed to US and global healthcare professionals at the upcoming WOCN/WCET Joint Meeting in Phoenix, AZ from June 12-16, 2010.

  For more information, visit www.convatec.com.

New in vitro study data shows importance of dressing conformability to action of silver-containing wound dressing

  ConvaTec (Skillman, NJ) announced new in vitro study results in which a Hydrofiber® dressing containing ionic silver was observed to conform more closely to a porcine tissue surface in a shallow wound model than certain silver-containing foam dressings following hydration. In the in vitro study the Hydrofiber® dressing containing ionic silver killed more bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus) beneath the dressing than any of the tested silver-containing foam dressings. In addition, the dressing containing ionic silver was observed to not allow the spread of bacteria beyond the edge of the simulated wound. These data were presented at the 23rd Annual Symposium on Advanced Wound Care and Wound Healing Society (SAWC/WHS) in Orlando, Florida.

  In the in vitro study, models were utilized that enabled both visualization of the conformability of silver-containing dressings with a simulated wound tissue and measurement of the antimicrobial activity of the dressings in a simulated shallow wound microbial model. The percentage of growth for each bacterium was measured for Hydrofiber dressing containing ionic silver and three silver-containing foam dressings (Foam A-C). Mean results of three replicated tests, measured by growth beneath the dressing, were as follows: the Hydrofiber dressing containing ionic silver had 0.4% growth when inoculated with S. sureus and 9.0% with P. aeruginosa; Foam A had 25.7% growth when inoculated with S. aureus and 100% with P. aeruginosa; Foam B had 16.7% growth when inoculated with S. aureus and 97.8% with P. aeruginosa; and Foam C had 24.6% growth when inoculated with S. aureus and 95.8% wit P. aeruginosa.

   For more information, visit www.convatec.com.

New data shows budget impact of fecal management system throughout hospital

  ConvaTec (Skillman, NJ) announced new study results that demonstrate hospitals could realize substantial savings by substituting Flexi-Seal® FMS for traditional fecal management methods. The cost savings are mainly due to a reduction in time required for nursing staff to manage fecal incontinence. This study was presented at the 23rd Annual Symposium on Advanced Wound Care and Wound Healing Society (SAWC/WHS) in Orlando, Florida.

  Fecal incontinence is common in hospital intensive care units (ICU) and presents a major challenge for healthcare professionals due to its association with skin breakdown, which may increase the risk of infection. Traditional methods for liquid or semi-liquid fecal incontinence management, such as the use of absorbent briefs/pads, skin cleansers, and moisturizers, are only moderately successful in alleviating the consequences of fecal incontinence.

  A budget impact model was developed to calculate the annual financial implications of using the system versus traditional fecal management methods in a hospital ICU. Costs of consumables, nurse and nursing assistant time, and of treating fecal incontinence-related complications were considered. The average cost per patient per course of diarrhea was calculated for average-weight and bariatric patients. All figures were collected retrospectively from Carondelet St. Mary’s an Ascension Hospital, Tucson, Arizona.

  Results found the average total fecal management costs per patient, per five-day course of diarrhea, including consumables and nursing time only were $423 for FMS patients and $763 for traditional fecal management patients. The annualized burden of ICU fecal incontinence in this hospital (223 patients) was $169,896 using traditional fecal management methods and $94,224 using the FMS. The annual savings from FMS adoption were $75,763 by the hospital.

   For more information, visit www.convatec.com.

Advanced mobile healing technology launched

  Kinetic Concepts Inc (San Antonio, TX) recently introduced V.A.C. Via^™ Therapy System, a next-generation negative pressure wound therapy solution that offers clinicians and patients a mobile healing technology with the proven benefits and outcomes of V.A.C.^® Therapy. The new system’s design and engineering bring a combination of light weight, enhanced mobility, and intuitive technology. The portable, discreet, easy-to-operate design enables patients to return to home or work as seamlessly as possible. For providers, the for-sale model for the hospital may allow for earlier patient discharge by reducing or eliminating the need for insurance authorizations before discharge. The product’s single-click functionality also makes training and treatment easier than ever. These benefits create potential cost benefits— a hallmark of the NPWT therapy, which has demonstrated reduced length of stay, fewer readmissions, and reduced need for surgeries. Reducing hospital length of stay can deliver significant cost benefits; the average cost of one hospital day at a community hospital can be more than $1,800. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-cleared system is planned for global launch in the third quarter.

  For more information, visit www.kci1.com.

Advanced technology foam dressings address pain, moisture
  Hollister Wound Care (Libertyville, IL) recently launched the new Restore^® Foam Dressings featuring Triact Advanced^™ Technology at the Symposium on Advanced Wound Care ([SAWC] April 17-19, 2010) in Orlando, FL. Triact Advanced Technology — a lipido-colloid formulation that is incorporated onto the surface of the dressing — represents the newest advancement in foam dressings and the latest innovation from the company. The advanced interface differs from current silicone-based dressings in that it contains hydrocolloid (CMC) particles that gel in the presence of exudate and provide a moist healing interface between the wound and the dressing. The protective gel not only allows virtually pain-free removal of the dressing, but it also maintains a moist wound interface for the duration of the indicated wear time. Key benefits include: preventing the dressing from sticking to the wound, while providing gentle micro-adherence to the periwound skin for one-handed application, virtually pain-free dressing changes, vertical wicking and containment of exudate to protect the periwound skin from maceration, and a semi-permeable backing with a high moisture vapor transmission rate to help reduce maceration and preserve wound margins.

  For more information, visit www.hollisterwoundcare.com.

Surgical cover dressings now contain silver
  ConvaTec (Skillman, NJ) launched Aquacel^® Ag Surgical cover dressings in the US for the postoperative care of surgical incisions. The dressings feature the company’s patented Hydrofiber^® Technology, which powers the surgical cover dressings by absorbing and locking in fluids and harmful bacteria. Evidence shows significant reduction in the incidence of superficial surgical site infection, skin blistering, and delayed discharge when compared to a nonwoven postoperative surgical cover dressing regimen. Dressing construction provides a waterproof, viral, and bacterial barrier that allows for flexibility and extensibility during body movement. The dressing design has been proven to handle postoperative challenges— complications that can translate to increased time, expense, and concern for the patient’s well being.

  For more information, visit www.convatec.com.

NPTP products and services featured at SAWC
  Kinetic Concepts Inc (San Antonio, Tex) recently featured its growing line of negative pressure technology platform (NPTP) products and services at the Symposium on Advanced Wound Care ([SAWC] April 17-19, 2010) in Orlando, FL. Highlighting the company’s commitment to innovation, the new products and services will improve the portability and adoption of V.A.C.^® Therapy, while further specializing the clinical application of negative pressure. The company plans on bringing a number of new healing technologies to the market and exhibited a wide range of products, services, and new indications including V.A.C. Via^™, an easy-to-use, portable V.A.C. Therapy unit. The therapy is now FDA-cleared for the treatment of venous leg ulcers. V.A.C. Therapy with the WoundExpert^® EMR represents a new partnership with Net Health Systems (Pittsburgh, Pa) as V.A.C. Therapy is now included in WoundExpert, a best-in-class electronic medical records system used across the country.

  For more information, visit www.kci1.com.
 

Triple-action dressing technology incorporates multiple capabilities

  The Advanced Wound Management Division of Smith & Nephew Inc (St. Petersburg, FL), a subsidiary of Smith & Nephew plc, recently spotlighted the Allevyn™ difference with its enhanced triple-action technology and dynamic moisture control at the Symposium on Advanced Wound Care ([SAWC] April 17-19, 2010) in Orlando, FL. The triple-action technology leverages today’s most advanced materials— a direct result of 23 years of innovation, research, and refinement. This is the only dressing that offers three dressing layers working together to manage moisture. The company’s Reactic^™ film is a hydrodynamic top film that actively responds to changing exudate levels. The film is different because it can ‘switch on’ to evaporate more moisture when fluid levels are high and ‘switch off’ when the fluid levels are low, optimizing wound closure. The second layer, the hydrocellular foam, is different because it allows for rapid fluid uptake and vertical wicking. The advanced foam core moves exudate up vertically and locks in moisture until it evaporates, leading to 46% more fluid handling and less risk for maceration. The wound contact layer offers secure, gentle contact, making the difference in patient satisfaction and comfort. This third layer wicks moisture to reduce leakage and maceration and provides a barrier to exogenous bacteria.

  For more information, visit www.smith-nephew.com.