INFECTION PREVENTION
exudate within the dress- ing,” Rian shared. “AQUA- CEL Dressings protect the wound bed, lower the risk of peri-wound maceration, reduce wound pain and dressing change pain, and maintain a moist wound environment conducive to
Julia Rian
wound healing. The AQUACEL Ag Advan- tage dressing addresses wound bioburden and infection, killing a broad spectrum of bacteria within the dressing, including antibiotic-resistant microorganisms, and has sustained antimicrobial activity in the dressing for up to seven days, preventing microbial reformation.”
Complicated wounds and care What kinds of challenges happen with wounds that are ongoing or have trouble healing? Ralph Lombardo, Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing, and Director, Clinical Program, Avadim Health, Inc., calls out the complications with chronic and non-heal- ing wounds, antibiotic use and microbial resistance. “Chronic and non-healing wounds
oftentimes are refractory to traditional treatment,” Lombardo explained. “These wounds are commonly challenged with biofilm bacterial colonization and have over-epressed in ammation. radication of this biofi lm and control of this in am- mation can be very difficult to achieve without the use of long courses of systemic antibiotics. While topical treatments can be effective, they also can interfere with epithelialization.” “Microbial resistance is an additional challenge leading to fewer options, which jeopardizes clinical outcomes,” he added. “Unresolved wounds can increase hospital- ization time and decrease patient comfort, which account for patient dissatisfaction and can impact a hospital’s ability to be reimbursed in Medicare/Medicaid’s Hos- pital Value-Based Purchasing programs.” Hygiene and wound cleansing products, like Theraworx Protect, can be used to cleanse skin and decrease infection risk, notes Lombardo.
“Theraworx Protect has been proven safe for the stratum corneum, mucosa, face and perineum, including deep wounds,” he continued. “As a proven, non-inferior bathing alternative to stan- dard ICU bathing, it supports antimicro- bial stewardship programs. Plus, unlike other hygiene and wound cleansing prod- ucts that can cause dryness and break down the skin’s barrier— increasing the risk of infection—Theraworx Protect is actually good for the skin, supporting the skin’s natural antimicrobial barrier and defensive functions. Its no-rinse, non-irritating formulation has no sticky residue leading to its inclusion in clinical bundles indicated to prevent hospital- associated infections.”
Other skin cleansers, non-antimicrobial
dressings and bathing gloves can aid in bathing and protection of skin to lower infection risk, explains Tony Forsberg, RN, BSBA, WCC, CSPHA, National Clinical Director, Essity HMS North America Inc. “Our skin cleansing and protective prod- ucts clean and protect while promoting a healthy pH and minimizing trauma from removal,” he indicated. “Caregivers have found the TENA Bathing Glove to be an important tool when needing to pro- vide baths to those who are bedbound.” “Cutimed Sorbact dress- ings, with DACC technol- ogy, provide clinicians a lower-cost and effective
Tony Forsberg
Theraworx Protect line from Avadim Health, Inc.
treatment for all stages of wounds. Ease of use and atraumatic removal may help increase patient satisfaction. Sorbact dress- ings are an excellent alternative to antimi- crobial dressings and work via a physical mechanism of action, immediately and irreversibly binding hydrophobic microor- ganisms, including bacteria,” Gray added. Wounds commonly lead to amputations, which are hazardous and life-threatening, stresses Fertram Sigurjonsson, founder, president and CEO of Kerecis. “Wounds are a major cause of amputa- tions in the U.S., where more than 100,000 amputations are performed annually,” Sigurjonsson reported. “The 1.2 million amputees living here have a five- year survival rate of less than 30 per- cent, a rate similar to lung cancer. Even if an amputation is not needed, a chronic wound needs ongo- ing medical atten-
30 September 2020 • HEALTHCARE PURCHASING NEWS •
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tion, which increases the cost of treatment and decreases the patient’s quality of life.” Fish-skin grafts, like Omega3 Wound,
can be used to help quicken healing and decrease chances for amputations or infec- tions, explains Sigurjonsson.
“Quality wound care can speed heal- ing, reducing the need for amputation, improving lives and lowering costs because fewer treatments are needed,” he said. An example is Dennis Reneau, a former U.S. Marine and top U.S. body builder who faced having both his feet amputated. Kerecis Omega3 Wound saved Dennis from a double amputation and gave him Kerecis Omega3 Wound fi sh-skin graft
his former life back.”
“Clinical studies have found that Kerecis Omega3 Wound heals wounds faster, with fewer infections, than the standard of care,” Sigurjonsson added. “For example, an inde- pendent comparative study conducted by The Institut Curie, Henri-Mondor Hospital, Paris-Est University and University PSL found that patients treated with the Kerecis products healed in an average of 32 days, compared to 68 days for patients treated with standard treatment. The Kerecis patients experienced less pain and fewer infections. lso the .S. Offi ce of aval Research found that wounds treated with the Kerecis products were much more resistant to staphylococcus infections than wounds treated with competing products.”
Skin health amid COVID-19 COVID-19 remains a health concern for everyone. In addition to life-threatening infections, it also can cause skin issues for healthcare workers and additional health problems for infected patients. “Irritation from PPE has been a common issue throughout this pandemic,” pointed out ssitys ray. “Clinicians could benefi t by using a skin prep product under their masks. Hand sanitizers and disinfectants can dry out and irritate the skin. Dry skin can crack, which can become a portal of entry for bacteria. It is incredibly important to keep the skin hydrated with moistur- izers. Essity’s Cutimed Protect has been an effective solution for this issue.”
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