Robinson Healthcare is the UK s leading manufacturer of high quality medical absorbents and has the only volume cotton wool manufacturing plant in the UK. Excellence in medical absorbents can be traced back to the 1850 s when Robinson Healthcare was the first company in the world to mechanise the production of absorbent lint and 1885, when the company registered the world s first patent for a sanitary towel. Conforming to British Pharmacopoeia Today, products are developed to the meet the latest standards and benefit from modern, high quality manufacturing. The result is highly effective, high performance absorbents designed primarily as secondary wound dressings but suitable for many other purposes. Where applicable, Robinson Healthcare cotton wool products conform to the British Pharmacopoeia monograph. The British Pharmacopoeia (BP) is the official collection of standards for UK medicinal products and pharmaceutical substances, including surgical dressings. High Quality Material and Manufacturing Meeting the stringent standards stated in the BP monograph for absorbent cotton requires the use of high quality raw materials and careful attention to manufacturing techniques. In order to claim compliance with BP quality standards, products must conform to every aspect of the monograph. The table below sets out the main requirements for absorbent cotton, why they are important and how Robinson Healthcare compares to the standard. Virtually all Robinson Healthcare absorbents are manufactured in compliance with the appropriate British Pharmacopoeia (BP) or European Pharmacopoeia (EP) monographs. In addition, raw material (cotton) undergoes microbiological testing to ensure that they comply with the company s stringent requirements for low microbial count. Finished product also regularly goes through the same laboratory tests to maintain quality. Raw material is also passed through a multi-phase magnetic removal process to ensure no metal contamination. Every finished product also passes through final stage electronic metal detection for ferrous and non-ferrous materials for added safety. All light fittings in the production area are enclosed to prevent any possible glass contamination. Finished product is regularly tested in Robinson Healthcare s onsite laboratory to ensure compliance with the appropriate BP and EP monographs. Absorbent Cotton Quality Performance Technical Feature BP Requirement Importance Robinson Healthcare Product Compliant Water Holding Capacity (g/g) Min 23g/g High absorbency is essential for cotton wool otherwise it cannot work 25-30g/g effectively at absorbing fluids or exudate. Sinking Time (seconds) 10 secs maximum The cotton wool must also be able to absorb fluids very quickly < 5 secs in order to perform effectively. Ave Fibre Length Not less than 10mm Fibre length can indicate the quality of cotton wool and how heavily > 10mm processed it is. Short fibre lengths can weaken the cotton wool and can cause dust when shaken, or lead to excessive linting. Neps Not more than European Neps are microscopic balls of entangled cotton fibres. A high number In accordance with European Pharmacopoeia sample gives the cotton wool a poor appearance and a rough feel. Pharmacopoeia (EP) Trash Content Traces only Trash consists of contaminants such as natural leaf, stalk, husk and Traces only cotton seeds. This can scratch delicate skin and gives a poor appearance. ph Level Neither strongly acidic To prevent potential skin irritation, the ph level should be within neutral Within neutral limits of ph 5-8 or alkaline limits, making the cotton wool mild to the skin. Strongly Acidic or Alkaline ph levels can be created by poor processing when bleaching. Surface Active Agents Max 2mm of froth when Surface active agents can cause skin irritation when present. Cotton Nil cotton sample agitated wool is generally used next to or close to the skin and so the presence with water in BP test of surface active agents should be eliminated if possible. Micronaire Acceptable softness only Micronaire indicates cotton thickness. Thick fibres give the cotton wool 3.2-4 a coarse feel in use. A reading of 5 or less can be considered acceptable. 80
Gamgee Tissue BP Robinson Healthcare Gamgee is a greatly improved and modern version of the original Gauze and Cotton Tissue invented in 1880 by Dr Joseph Sampson Gamgee (a pioneer in aseptic surgery) in association with Robinson Healthcare. The patent was assigned to Robinson Healthcare who manufactured the first product. Today, Gamgee is still the market leader and widely used, sharing the original s unique benefits with modern, high quality manufacturing. Gamgee is supplied in non-sterile 500g rolls in BP Quality, which fully conform to the British Pharmacopoeia monograph. It consists of a thick layer of highly absorbent cotton wool enclosed in an absorbent cotton gauze cover. It is also available in Drug Tariff Version or general Hospital Version (lower quality for less critical applications). Additionally, pre-cut pads of BP Quality Gamgee are available in individual sterile packs. Absorbency Superior quality, highly absorbent secondary wound dressing Ideal for highly exuding wounds, including leg ulcers, cavity wounds, lacerations and surgical wounds Excellent secondary dressing for burns, when used over a suitable non-adherent layer (sterile packs) Comfort and Protection Unique cushioning for the relief of pressure points in wounds and sores Provides additional warmth and protection for improved patient comfort Suitable for undercast padding and many general orthopaedic applications where a comfortable padding is desired Particularly suitable for care of the elderly as a cushion to help prevent pressure sores Practical in Use Choice of BP, Drug Tariff and Hospital Quality (non-sterile) Large 45cm wide, 500g individually bagged rolls Pre-cut sterile pads available in 4 sizes, are packed individually in easy to open packs Product Code PIP Code Description Size Unit of Sale 26495 035-4597 BP Quality (Blue Label) Non-sterile 500g Roll 24 Rolls 26292 010-7292 Drug Tariff Version (Pink Label) Non-sterile 500g Roll 24 Rolls 26090 - Hospital Version (Aqua Label) Non-sterile 500g Roll 24 Rolls Individual Sterile Packs 7575 - Sterile Pre-Cut Pad 20x30cm 30 Packs 7577 - Sterile Pre-Cut Pad 45x45cm 25 Packs 7576 - Sterile Pre-Cut Pad 45x90cm 25 Packs 7578 - Sterile Pre-Cut Pad 45x130cm 16 Packs DT Press-on shown 81
Cotton Wool Balls BP Robinson Healthcare is the UK s leading manufacturer of cotton wool balls, offering a product that conforms to the British Pharmacopoeia monograph and is suitable for a wide variety of clinical and personal uses. Soft and highly absorbent BP Quality cotton wool Made from 100% pure cotton Gentle to the skin Ideal for general skin cleansing, topical swabbing and pre-operative skin preparation Large size 0.8g balls, to suit most applications without waste Product Code Description Size/Qty Unit of Sale 5957 BP Quality 0.8g x 200 24 Packs Cotton Wool Roll BP Suitable for numerous clinical applications, Robinson Healthcare s Cotton Wool Roll conforms to the British Pharmacopoeia monograph and manufactured using pure cotton wool to ensure a consistently high quality product is provided to medical professionals. Made from 100% pure cotton Highly absorbent cotton wool minimises usage Ideal for topical cleansing and swabbing Suitable as a cushioning and absorbent secondary layer Soft and gentle to the skin Cost effective 500g pack 82 Product Code PIP Code Size Unit of Sale 2009 346-7230 500g 12 Packs
Gauze Swabs BP Suitable for wound cleansing and dressing, Robinson Healthcare Gauze Swabs are manufactured to BP Quality (British Pharmacopoeia) using pure cotton gauze. The swabs have all cut edges folded in to avoid the risk of fibre shedding. Highly absorbent, the open mesh construction also permits exudate to flow through and be absorbed by a secondary dressing. Highly absorbent, ideal for wound cleansing, wound protection, or as a short term dressing Soft and flexible to conform easily to awkward joints Safe, folded in cut edges to prevent lint entering the wound Sterile swabs suitable for use in minor surgical procedures Product Code PIP Code Size Unit of Sale 5910 035-2500 7.5 x 7.5cm 8 Ply Non-sterile 100 s x 10 5911 037-1815 10 x 10cm 8 Ply Non-sterile 100 s x 10 5912 035-2815 10 x 10cm 12 Ply Non-sterile 100 s x 10 Sterile, Drug Tariff Pack - 5 Swabs in Easy to Open Pack 36619-7.5 x 7.5cm 8 Ply - Sterile 72 Packs of 5 (12 s x 6) DT Maternity Pads Robinson Healthcare Maternity Pads are high quality absorbent pads designed for comfort and optimum performance. They are designed for post-partum patients or following gynaecological operations and are available in 2 sizes. Each pad consists of a thick, high absorbency fluff pulp core in a carrier tissue, with a polyethylene liner on the reverse to prevent strike-through and a soft non-woven cover. A press-on style with adhesive strips is offered in addition to the standard version for convenience of use. Excellent absorbent capacity for maximum confidence Soft cover for optimum comfort Sterile pads individually packed in easy to open pouches Option of convenient press-on style Product Code Description Size Unit of Sale 3801 Non-Sterile Press-On 1 288 (12 s x 24) 3812 Non-Sterile 2 288 (12 s x 24) Individual Sterile Packs 3800 Sterile Press-On 2 300 (50 s x 6) 6101 Sterile 2 288 Bulk Packed 6103 Sterile 2 300 (50 s x 6) 6104 Sterile 3 300 (50 s x 6) Press-on Style 83
Dental Rolls EP Robinson Healthcare Dental Rolls are designed for control of soft tissues and moisture during dental procedures. Manufactured in compliance with the European Pharmacopoeia using 100% high quality absorbent cotton, the rolls are available in 3 sizes. Superior quality, 100% absorbent cotton dental rolls Ideal for soft tissue and moisture control during dental procedures Available in 3 sizes - 8, 10 and 12mm diameter Product Code Size Unit of Sale 6850 Size 1-8mm Dia. 6,000 (500 s x 12) 6851 Size 2-10mm Dia. 6,000 (500 s x 12) 6852 Size 3-12mm Dia. 6,000 (500 s x 12) Dental Throat Packs Designed to help prevent debris and fluids from entering the oropharynx and to assist with protecting the airway. Robinson Healthcare Throat Packs consist of a European Pharmacopeia standard cotton pad wrapped in a soft, spun viscose cover. This is secured using a high strength polyester-cotton cord. High quality absorbent cotton pad with soft viscose cover High strength, securely attached removal cord for safety Medium size sterile twin pack available 84 Product Code Size Unit of Sale 75020 Small - 5.1 x 5.1cm Non-sterile 960 (80 s x 12) 75058 Medium - 6.3 x 6.3cm Non-sterile 600 (50 s x 12) 75088 Large - 6.3 x 8.9cm Non-sterile 600 (50 s x 12) Sterile Twin Pack 7690 Medium - 6.3 x 6.3cm Sterile Twin Pack 40 Packs
Fast Aid Absorbent Lint BPC Fast Aid Absorbent Lint BPC is a highly absorbent plain woven cotton cloth that is a very effective first aid dressing. Manufactured to BPC (British Pharmaceutical Codex) superior quality standard, Absorbent Lint is suited for use over a primary dressing on exuding wounds thanks to its excellent absorption levels. Available in 3 sizes, to suit both professional use and Over the Counter sales, Absorbent Lint also provides cushioned protection, particularly over wounds on awkward joints as it is soft, flexible and easily cut to size. Highly absorbent secondry dressing, suitable for exuding wounds Soft and conformable, ideal for awkward joints Helps protect and cushion most wounds Useful for the topical application of medication such as ointments, creams and lotions Product Code PIP Code Weight Unit of Sale 7161 040-5209 25g 72 Packs (6 s x 12) 7162 040-5217 100g 36 Packs (6 s x 6) 7163 040-5225 500g 12 Packs (2 s x 6) DT Consumer Cotton Wool Page 152 Professional Woundcare Page 104 First Aid Page 138 85