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.

www.tapelessmedical.com

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.

www.tapelessmedical.com

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

IV/PICC LINES AND TAPELESS

IV/PICC LINES AND TAPELESS

IVs and PICC (peripheral inserted central catheters) lines are utilized for lengthy large vein administration of otherwise irritating medications, nutritional fluids, long-term antibiotics and chemotherapy agents.  With the growth in home healthcare and the ability to manage PICC lines at home, improvements in their care and use deserve more attention.

As an important tool in modern medicine, the care and reliability of this device is foremost.  Discussions about the use and care focus on infection, blockage, and leakage of medications.  These are essential, but so is attention to accidental dislodgement of the catheter; inadequately conveyed on an Internet site as “avoid sharp objects and do not allow pets or young children to play with the PICC line”.   The Tapeless IV/PICC line holder not only provides for additional securement and visualization of the catheter insertion site but also is designed specifically for this problem.

The components of this unique product provide a number of functions.  These include (1.) securement around the arm to increase PICC line stability, (2.) a large “window” to permit visualization of the insertion site and surrounding tissues, thereby assisting in inspection for infection and fluid infiltration into local issues, (3.) a strap to secure the disconnected tubing and small monitors when not in use and  (4.) a flap that folds down to cover and protect the PICC line and tubing from entangling situations.  Medications can even be administered with the flap in place.

This novel device is being used by cancer centers, hospices and in home care settings across the country.  They are Medicare Part B reimbursable, increasing their cost effectiveness and practability.

http://www.tapelessmedical.com/iv_picc.htm

BREAST PROBLEMS AND TAPELESS

BREAST PROBLEMS AND TAPELESS

There are a myriad of surgical and non-surgical situations where wound dressing management affects comfort, recovery time, patient activity, cost, wound healing , complications and ultimate cosmetic results.   The choice of the wound dressing holder is important.   Variables such as the number of wounds, their location and the specific treatment prescribed dictate what is required of the breast dressing device.  Notice that traditional devices are mostly designed with a single intended purpose: support the breast or dress the wound.  Rarely does a single dressing device adequately deal with both needs.  It is also possible, by understanding the complexity of care and the number of variables, to encounter treatment changes during the course of care, so that a variety of wound dressings may be required before final resolution of the problem. It would be advantageous if a single dressing system were able to accommodate any or all of the variables and primary wound dressings and not only provide breast support, but also provide simple, comfortable, quick, cost effective, reimbursable and effective wound management.

Tapeless breast dressing holders, through a combination of design and material, address these specific needs and variables: location of wounds, number of wounds, different primary wound dressings, shape of the breast, size of the breast and even the presence of drains or tubes.  Tapeless is sized for comfort with material that is washable/reusable and non-allergenic.  Each breast is able to be independently managed.  As with all Tapeless products, the breast dressing holders are Medicare Part B reimbursable.

http://www.tapelessmedical.com/breast.htm

THE FOOT ULCER AND TAPELESS

THE FOOT ULCER AND TAPELESS

Ulcers of the toe, ankle, sole of the foot and heel are treated by internists, podiatrists, vascular surgeons, general surgeon and plastic surgeons.  Why would such a variety of specialists treat the same problem?  The answer is the variety of causes, the complexity of the underlying medical problems that require management and the slow to respond, chronic nature of these wounds.  Whether they are due to diabetes or other medical diseases or blood flow abnormalities, there is a need for prevention and specialized treatment.  Cure is a difficult goal.

This is a recipe for great expense and the need for diligent and constant attention.  The importance of the primary wound dressing is obvious, but the importance of the secondary wound dressing should not be overlooked.  If the secondary wound dressing minimizes costs, enhances patient compliance and takes into account the limitations in application due to age or restrictive medical problems like arthritis, then the final outcome may be easier.  Compliance can be the difference between an amputation and a healed wound. Furthermore, the secondary wound dressing should not predispose the patient to other problems that occur as a result of the choice of that dressing.   Examples would be a stiff ankle that occurs from a secondary dressing that is too bulky to allow a normal range of motion, or a secondary dressing that is too tight, further restricting blood flow or a secondary dressing that contains latex or an adhesive that subjects the skin to loss of its natural protective layers.

The combination of a clinically proven anatomic design, such as with the Tapeless Universal Foot dressing holder, extending from the ankle to the base of the toes, and a unique material, (washable, reusable, breathable, non-constrictive, non-adhesive, non-allergenic and latex free), is an example of how Tapeless dressing holders address these vital issues.

HOME HEATLH CARE AND TAPELESS

HOME HEALTH CARE AND TAPELESS

Previously, hospitals worked to fill beds completely.  As payment structures changed, the goal moved to get the patient out of the hospital as quickly as safely possible and continue care at home.  For this reason, home care became the largest, fastest growing aspect of medical care.   The pressure of economic responsibility shifted to home health care agencies as they were compensated based on diagnosis and not necessarily on care given.   It became cost effective for these visiting nurses to provide fewer and shorter visits with a patient.

Tapeless secondary wound dressings are the perfect products for this cost sensitive industry.

1.      Tapeless, being anatomically designed, easily is applied to the desired location.  Not only does this allow the patient to apply and change his own dressings, thereby reducing the number of nursing visits, but with a low risk of too tight an application or improper positioning.  Family members can assist without concern of difficulty or complexity of dressing changes.

2.      Tapeless is washable and reusable thus reducing cost for supplies.  Tapeless is Medicare Part B reimbursable that many other secondary dressings are not.

3.      Tapeless permits the nurse to not only require fewer visits, but studies have documented a significant time-savings, which is also a cost benefit.

4.      Tapeless, by allowing for safe, effective wound care without the need of a nurse, can be done more frequently thus possibly improving healing time.

5.      Tapeless, by virtue of the material used and the anatomic design, is applied by securing around the body part, not needing to be slipped over or wrapped around the body part.  This permits individuals that have difficulty with these motions to still effectively use Tapeless.