NEW PRODUCT IDEAS AND TAPELESS

NEW PRODUCT IDEAS AND TAPELESS

 

As a company that prides itself as a “problem solver”, the question, “ how do you come up with your new product ideas?”, often arises.  By far, the majority of new product ideas come from what the market dictates.  As requests for a solution to a particular problem increase from healthcare providers and patients, either at shows or by email, Tapeless looks at the market potential and then creates the product for that problem.

Not all products are seen under the Tapeless trademark.  Tapeless receives requests from other wound care companies to develop a product that will augment the efficacy or marketability of their product.  This is especially the case in the “fixative” market, wherein other products have difficulty in staying where they are placed or meant to function.  This often takes the form of a joint venture.

Another place that Tapeless uses its problem solving creativity is in special need markets, which are not significant from a monetary standpoint, but require our technology to help a specific patient population.  Such a case is the EB, or epidermolysis bullosa children and adults.  Tapeless significantly reduces pain, decreases dressing change time and is easier to apply and remove.

At times, Tapeless receives requests from healthcare providers or patients for a “one of a kind” wound dressing holder for a unique problem that otherwise has no solution.  One such case was a request by a mother whose child had leukemia and required a solution for the combination of a feeding tube, a central catheter and tape ulcers.  Tapeless was able to design and manufacture a single dressing holder that dealt with all 3 problems.

With all of these sources of ideas and needs, Tapeless is excited about its role in the fixative market and its contributions to wound dressing.

www.tapelessmedical.com

RE-USABILITY AND TAPELESS

RE-USABILITY AND TAPELESS

A key feature of Tapeless is the ability to reuse the dressing holder numerous times.  The question arises as to the number of times that the product may be reused, but as should be obvious, it depends on a number of factors.

First, is the end point at which the user no longer feels comfortable with that particular product.  Tapeless has a testimonial that asserts 100 applications but it is reasonable to say that not everyone would use it for 100 times.  

Factors that influence product usefulness include:

            Location – wound dressing holders situated at points of friction or movement are subject to more wear and tear than static areas, but still have significant numbers of applications.

            Type of wound- wounds with heavy drainage may influence longevity if the user is concerned about staining and discoloration, even though the dressing holder is still functional and may be washed “clean”.  The number of dressing changes per day may also influence product durability but remember that as use increases, so does cost effectiveness .

             Care - holders are washable and reusable and since the material contains a polypropylene plastic, drying restrictions must carefully be observed.  The holder should only be air-dried.  Surprisingly, the temperature of the water or the nature of the cleanser does not affect washing.  Washing should be by hand or in a lingerie bag.

            Material integrity - as usage is increased, the material may pill from repeated applications and removals of the Velcro, but function is unaffected.  If the dressing is not properly sized, closure may be tighter than dictated by the anatomic design and the material may fray, or in extreme situations, may tear. 

Although it is best to avoid applying a specific number to uses, most often, taking into account the above mentioned factors, dressing holders should be effective for a minimum of a dozen applications.

www.tapelessmedical.com

MEDICARE HCPCS CODES AND TAPELESS

MEDICARE HCPCS CODES AND TAPELESS

HCPCS Codes are numbers assigned to every task and service a medical practitioner may provide to a Medicare patient, including medical, surgical and diagnostic services.   Under the Level II code set is a code set for medical services such as durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies.  These codes are alpha-numeric in that they begin with a single letter, followed by 4 numbers.  The Tapeless dressing system products have been approved for a Medicare billing designation: the 2 codes are A4463 (SURGICAL DRESSING HOLDER, REUSABLE) and A4221 (SUPPLIES FOR MAINTENANCE OF DRUG INFUSION CATHETER, PER WEEK).  HCPCS Codes are used by public and private health plans for patients recovering in a home health program, after hospitalization or from treatment at outpatient clinics.

Health plans using the HCPCS codes are:

            A  group health plan, health insurance issuer or HMO

            Part A or B of the Medicare program

            The Medicaid program

            An issuer if a Medicare supplemental policy

An issuer of a long-term care policy, excluding a nursing home fixed-indemnity policy

An employee welfare benefit plan or any other arrangement that is established or maintained for the purpose of offering or providing health benefits to the employees of two or more employers

            The health care program for active military personnel

            The veterans health care program

The Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS); the Indian Health service program

            The Federal Employees Health Benefits Program

            An approved state child health plan

            The Medicare Plus Choice program

Any other individual or group plan or combination of individual or group plans that provides or pays for the cost of medical care: and a high risk pool that is a mechanism established under a state law to provide health insurance coverage or comparable coverage to eligible individuals.     

www.tapelessmedical.com

HEAVILY DRAINING WOUNDS AND TAPELESS

HEAVILY DRAINING WOUNDS AND TAPELESSÔ

A frequently asked question relates to heavily draining wounds. Tapeless functions with virtually any primary wound dressing, so this article will focus on how a secondary wound dressing, Tapeless, benefits the treatment of this troublesome occurrence irrespective of the primary dressing.

A heavily draining wound is often the result of a superficial infection.  Oral antibiotics offer little since a good blood supply is needed to deliver the antibiotic to the wound and a poor blood supply is often the cause for the wound.  The approach should be topical.  The primary wound dressing is the caregiver’s choice, but a favorite is a dilute iodine solution.  The role of the secondary wound dressing is important, since not only must it keep the medicated primary in contact with the wound surface, but it should be cost effective enough that it will allow dressing changes as frequently as desired.  Tapeless not only is initially inexpensive, but also permits dressings changes as often as needed without adding additional cost to each dressing change.  Changes are simple and painless thereby improving patient compliance.    This hastens the wound healing process.

Tapeless also provides a unique material that has an innate stretch but not enough that it is prone to slip or dislodge.  This relates to the matter of heavy wound drainage by permitting the user to place several layers of absorbent material on the wound which removes the drainage quickly and thoroughly.  The Tapeless material, breathable, stretchable and non-constrictive, and anatomic in shape, will accommodate the extra underlying layers without loss of shape or ability to remain in place functionally over the wound. 

Finally, another quality of the Tapeless dressing holder is that it may be washed and reused if desired, removing any drainage since as a secondary wound dressing, it needs to be clean, not necessarily sterile as does the primary dressing.

These features of Tapeless are but a few of the many that support the use of these products with wounds that are heavily draining.

www.tapelessmedical.com

TAPELESS™ VS. THE TRADITIONAL ~ PART 3.

TAPELESS™ VS. THE TRADITIONAL
PART 3.

Once the consumer has read and understood the issues raised in Parts 1 & 2, he/she should
be able to evaluate the benefits or shortcomings of the traditional secondary wound
dressing and Tapeless™. (It should be noted that the criteria presented in Part 2 were the
product of another author writing on secondary wound dressings.)

Tape
* Limited to certain anatomical areas because of hair and moisture
* Loosens by friction or motion
* Causes skin problems due to allergic reactions to adhesive or loss of protective layer
on removal
* Requires dexterity or assistance to hold primary dressing in place while taping
* Causes discomfort when removing
* Lacks ability to be reused or reapplied: not cost effective with… (see below)
* No reimbursement
* May tear gloves of care provider, increasing contamination to both

Rolls Of Gauze
* Need to cut off excess or uses more than
necessary: not reusable or washable: not cost effective
* Must be secured by tape or something else
* Will quickly stretch, move and slip with loss of shape; not anatomic
* Bulk may limit mobility, range of motion, with loss of function
* Circular motion needed to wrap difficult for individuals with limited
flexibility
* Increases biohazardous waste and cost of removal
* Time consuming to change

Elastic Netting
* Must be slipped over body part which can be
difficult or painful.
* Often rolls up creating a constrictive band and loss of holding
power: not anatomic, need to cut and create a fit
* Requires more than one individual to apply or change dressings
* Frequently needs a secondary dressing like tape to stay put
* No way to keep primary from slipping beneath netting
* Time consuming to change

Elastic Wraps
* Tapeless™ is Not COBAN®! Not washable or reusable
* Must re-roll wrap before reapplication
* Not anatomic so non-conforming in many locations
* Allows dressings to shift during application or while worn
* May be wrapped dangerously tight
* May lose shape from frequent stretching or applications
* Time consuming to change
* The longer it’s on - the tighter it gets

Tapeless™ Offers
* Latex Free
* Washable, Reusable
* Cost effective
* Non-Adhesive
* Breathable
* Clinically Proven
* Easy, Painless, Rapid
* Non Constrictive removal & application
* Anatomically designed
* Minimal bulk
* Works with Any Wound Dressing

Note that Tapeless™ satisfies all characteristics listed by the author of the IDEAL
WOUND DRESSING.(refer to PART 2)

www.tapelessmedical.com