Acticoat 7 Antimicrobial Barrier Dressing is a dressing utilizing advanced silver technology to help create an optimal wound environment. It features a rayon/polyester core that helps manage moisture level and control silver release, a silver-coated high-density polyethylene mesh that facilitates the passage of silver through the dressing, and the nanocrystalline coating of pure silver delivers antimicrobial barrier activity within 30 minutes - faster than other forms of silver.
NUCRYST Pharmaceutical's antimicrobial technology is able to produce silver-coated polyethylene films that can release an effective concentration of silver over several days. Thus, as silver ions are consumed, additional silver is released from the dressing to provide an effective antimicrobial barrier. This patented silver-based antimicrobial technology can be applied to a wide range of medical devices including wound dressings, certain types of catheters and various implants to prevent infection. This technology was first applied to burn wound dressings because burns present a very severe risk of infection.
Benefits of Acticote & Dressing:
-Delivers fast-acting, long-lasting antimicrobial barrier control.
-Effective barrier which may assist in preventing contamination of the wound.
Laboratory studies show that the ACTICOAT 7 dressing kills micro-organisms faster than conventional products such as silver sulfadiazine (1 percent cream) or silver nitrate (0.5%) solution. It has also been shown in-vitro to provide protection against more than 150 pathogens. The pathogens tested in the lab include very resistant strains of bacteria such as antibiotic-resistant strains of Pseudomonas, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus and fungi. These pathogens have been known to sweep through a hospital and infect a great many patients with already weakened immune systems. Infections contracted during hospitalization caused by these so-called superbugs and other organisms cost North American taxpayers an estimated $18 billion a year in additional hospital care.
-ACTICOAT 7 is versatile. The dressings can be cut to the desired shape and size to wrap around all body parts.
-The sustained release of silver also means fewer dressing changes, resulting in less exposure of the wound bed to the environment. This reduces the risk of infection, which lowers hospital costs.
-ACTICOAT 7 is cost-effective because it can be left on wounds for up to 7 days.
Indications:
ACTICOAT 7 Antimicrobial Barrier Dressing is an effective barrier to bacterial penetration. The barrier function of the dressing may help reduce infection in partial and full thickness wounds including decubitus ulcers, venous stasis ulcers, diabetic ulcers, first- and second-degree burns, and donor sites. ACTICOAT 7 dressings may be used over debrided and grafted partial thickness wounds.
Instructions for Use:
Application:
Follow standard protocol to cleanse wound; do not use oil-based cleansing agents.
For heavily exudative wounds:
1. Remove the ACTICOAT 7 dressing from the package and cut to size.
2. Apply the dry ACTICOAT 7 dressing to the wound, either side down, as the exudate will be sufficient to activate the dressing.
3. Cover the ACTICOAT 7 dressing with an absorbent secondary dressing.
4. Complete the dressing with appropriate gauze wrappings if necessary.
For all other wounds:
1. Remove the ACTICOAT dressing from package and cut to shape.
2. Moisten the dressing with sterile water (do not use saline).
3. Allow the dressing to drain on an absorbent surface in a sterile field for at least 2 minutes.
4. Apply the ACTICOAT 7 dressing to the wound surface, either side down.
5. Cover the dressing with a moist absorbent secondary dressing which may be prepared by saturating gauze with sterile water and wringing out the excess water.
6. Complete the dressing with appropriate gauze wrappings if necessary.
If the dressing dries and adheres to the wound, moisten or soak the dressing prior to removal.
Avoid forceful removal of the dressing and disruption of the healing wound.
Precautions:
-For external use only.
-ACTICOAT 7 is not compatible with oil-based products, such as petrolatum.
-Avoid contact with electrodes or conductive gels during electronic measurements, e.g. EEG and ECG.
-Avoid exposure to temperatures above 50 degrees C. Protect from light.
-Do not use if product color is not uniform.
-Do not use contents if pack is opened or damaged.
Smith & Nephew Part Number: 20141, 20241, 20341