SECONDARY WOUND DRESSINGS

SECONDARY WOUND DRESSINGS
PART 2

With Part 1, and now Part 2, Tapeless Medical provides the consumer with a means to maneuver through the slick marketing campaigns that flood the literature.  The consumer now can understand what is needed for a good outcome and has the tools to make the choice.  In Part 3, the last installment of this topic, Tapeless will present its case as to why it is superior to traditional secondary wound dressings by standing up against these standards.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE IDEAL SECONDARY WOUND DRESSING:

1.  Does not created a detrimental environment to rapid and effective healing (breathable).
2.  May be sterilizable if necessary.
3.  Provides good absorption of fluids thus providing an effective wick to remove these detrimental fluids away from the wound.
4.  Minimizes the opportunity for secondary infections.
5.  Does not damage the surrounding healthy tissue by virtue of its attachment to tissue or hair (adhesives), thus making the situation potentially worse.
6.  Is comfortable in its application or removal.
7.  Does not stick to surrounding tissue, hair or underlying primary wound dressing.
8.  Allows for a quick and easy assessment of the underlying wound or status of the primary wound dressing.
9.  Provides sufficient mechanical protection to the wound.
10.  Does not shed loose material into the wound or interfere with the function of the primary dressing.
11.  Conforms to the anatomical contours of the wound site.
12.  Resists tearing.
13.  Is non-flammable.
14.  Properties remain constant when we, dry or with temperature changes.
15.  Has a long shelf life.
16.  Has minimal bulk and storage space.
17.  Is cost effective.  Able to be washed and reused.
18.  Reduces bio-hazardous waste materials and the associated cost of their removal.
19.  Allows unimpaired motion and range of motion.
20.  Does not impair blood supply by being constrictive.
21.  May be used with any primary wound dressings.

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WHAT ARE SECONDARY WOUND DRESSINGS?

WHAT ARE SECONDARY WOUND DRESSINGS?

PART 1

 Tapeless wound dressing holders are secondary wound dressings.  What does this mean and what makes Tapeless superior to traditional secondary wound dressings?

Wound dressings are of two types; primary and secondary. Primary wound dressings are applied directly to a wound and may contain some medication.  Secondary wound dressings secure the primary wound dressing in place.  They are not secondary in importance, for if the primary wound dressing cannot be kept or applied where intended, then no matter what is placed on the wound might not work. 

Secondary wound dressings provide several important functions other than just securing the primary:

1.         Hold the primary dressing in the intended location.     This is mentioned above, but is worth repeating again: if the primary wound dressing moves or looses contact with the underlying wound, then the benefits may be lost.

2.         Supports the wound site.   If an implant, catheter, drain or graft has been inserted, movement must be avoided.   A secondary wound dressing may be required to protect and support the wound and device.  A cast or heavy wrap is an example of this type of wound dressing.

3.         Protects the wound site.   In this case, the wound dressing keeps the wound from further trauma, either from mechanical sources such as friction, motion or environmental factors like moisture or temperature. 

4.         Provides an environment for optimal healing.  This is a situation where the wound requires a closed environment for the primary dressing to function.

5.         Camouflages the wound.   An unsightly wound is not socially acceptable.

6.         Provides treatment to the wound.   This situation is a working synergistic relationship between the primary and secondary dressings, either of which alone will not work; a wet-to-dry wound debridement, in which the primary dressing needs to allow the underlying primary dressing to dry so that on removal of the primary, debridement occurs.

In Part 2, Tapeless will build its case for being a superior secondary wound dressing.

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OUR SKIN AND TAPELESS

OUR SKIN AND TAPELESS

Few know that skin is an organ, one of our most important organs.  Some organs can be transplanted and replaced when they fail, but as of today, it is impractical to transplant another’s skin and have it function.

Skin’s functions are important.  Our skin first serves first as a protective barrier to trauma and outside bacterial contamination.  Skin also provides essential functions such as temperature regulation, sensory detection and protection from solar radiation.

With these few examples one should appreciate why some contact materials are not healthy for the skin and should be chosen carefully.  Tapeless utilizes a patented material that was chosen because of its positive qualities which coupled with patented designs, offers the first truly new secondary wound dressings since World War II.  

Tapeless is a “sandwich” of a paper-like material with a layer of polypropylene plastic between. This makes Tapeless comfortable to the skin and remains so over long periods of time. Tapeless is free of latex and like sportswear that is made of polypropylene,  breaths and wicks away moisture.  This is important to avoid maceration, or the whitening and wrinkling of the skin such as happens beneath the standard band-aid.  Macerated skin is not able to heal well.  Being latex free removes one major source of allergies to both the patient and healthcare provider.  The material is so “safe” that it has been used for decades in diapers and feminine sanitary products.

Tapeless is adhesive free.  Adhesives, no matter how “minimally aggressive”, stick to the top layer of the skin and on removal, peel off this protective layer, making the underlying tissue susceptible to further trauma and damage.  Adhesives are to be strictly avoided with diabetes.

A very important aspect of Tapeless is that its material does not get tighter the longer it is on, as with COBANÒ.  This consequence further compromises the blood supply to the wound site, drainage of swelling and contributes to the tendency to roll its edges, forming a dangerous constrictive band.  Add to the beneficial features the anatomic designs, the cost effectiveness and the lack of bulk, and TapelessÔ provides a secondary dressing that is truly unique and clinically proven to be safe and preferable.

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EPIDERMOLYSIS BULLOSA AND TAPELESS

Epidermolysis bullosa, or ”EB”, is a group of disorders involving degrees of severity of blister formation with resultant scarring, deformities, secondary infections, skin cancers, eating abnormalities and even death.  The complications depend on the success of treatment, prevention of episodes of occurrence and the type of EB involved. With E.B., secondary wound dressings have as much impact as with any wound disorder.  It can make a positive or negative impact on the comfort of the patient, cost management, prevention of complications and ease of wound management.

The goal of treatment is to prevent the formation of blisters and any subsequent complications.  The use of adhesives is forbidden and the use of clothing and secondary wound dressings that are simple to get on and off are encouraged.  Tapeless products are very beneficial in the management of this disorder and Tapeless has begun to work with EB patients through a relationship with the DebRA Foundation, a remarkable organization dedicated to this inherited disorder. (www.debra.org.)  Since this disorder generally begins at birth or soon thereafter, Tapeless, with the ability to manufacture its products in any size, has produced smaller versions of those products that have the most applicability to the patient needs with this disorder.  Early feedback from the parents of these trial cases is very positive, with dressing changes less painful, better tolerated by the child, quicker and easier to apply/remove and more cost effective.  The more frequent and tolerable the dressing changes, the better the wound management.  Features, such as no adhesives, anatomic shape, breathability, washability/reusability, no constriction, absence of bulk and Medicare Part B reimbursement, allow these products to provide an ideal clinical dressing alternative with the ability to minimize complication occurrence and improve the quality of life for patient and family

As Tapeless continues to work with organizations like The DebRA Foundation and pediatric hospitals demonstrating an interest in treating this disorder, we look forward to contributing further in the overall management of EB. 

www.tapelessmedical.com