THE LARGE PATIENT AND TAPELESS

The reality that individuals are becoming larger and heavier is a real phenomenon.  Whether the individual undergoes a surgical procedure or has a different chronic wound, dressing the wound becomes more of a problem as the size of the patient increases.

These larger patients require more wound dressing materials to cover and secure their dressings, have greater difficulty in keeping the dressings in place as they tend to slip, rub and bind and are more likely to have complications in trying to apply their dressings.  The ineffectiveness of the traditional dressing holders like rolls of gauze, elastic netting and other wraps are magnified in this patient population.

The advantages of Tapeless are maximized in this group.  No longer is a single roll of gauze enough.  No longer do these materials remain where placed without tape or another supplemental aid.  The combination of a supplemental dressing aid and extra rolls of wrap quickly increase the cost of care without even adding in the costs of increased numbers of dressing changes.  When a problem occurs from the traditional dressing, the expense to treat these complications is also magnified.  These problems range from skin reactions to adhesives, blisters from excessive pressure or constriction and slippage of the wound dressing from the intended site to the need of additional help to apply the primary/secondary dressings.

Tapeless, with its ability to be manufactured in any size while maintaining its anatomic shape, offers immediate obvious advantages.  The larger dressing holders are still reusable, still resist slippage, are non-constrictive, easy to apply and because they are breathable and non-bulky, create a better environment for wound care for both the patient and the healthcare provider.  Cost is reduced, care is optimized and the patient is more compliant.

Tapeless currently has bariatric sizes for several products, but as the field of bariatric medicine becomes more prevalent, Tapeless encourages these specialty centers to work with us to develop size ranges and product models for the more commonly occurring needs.  In this manner, costs can be controlled, needs can be effectively addressed and patient comforts still achievable.

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