Product Information Dressing Classification Non/Low Adherent primary Dressing (for low exuding Silicone coated Proprietry Name Na Ultra Comments Silicone coating does not occlude the pores of the knitted fabric, thereby allowing drainage of exudate Absorbent, perforated plastic film faced dressing Telfa Ideal for lightly exuding wounds Vapour Permeable Film Dressings (Superficial/low exuding Vapour permeable film C-View Suitable for protecting vulnerable skin, friction, shearing and superficial epthiliasing wounds. For very low exuding wounds. Polyurethane, self-adhesive film membrane. Waterproof, and may be left in place for up to 7 days Soft silicone wound contact dressing Mepitel For vulnerable, fragile skin only where primary dressing changes need to be kept to a minimum. Suitable for paediatrics and painful wounds. Does not adhere to wound surface. Reduces pain and trauma during dressing changes. Can be left in situ for up to 14 days if holes of dressing remain patent. The secondary dressing may be changes independently. Easier to apply with moistened gloves Precautions Do not use on heavy bleeding wounds until bleeding has ceased. Blood clots may cause adherence. Not to be used if infection is suspected range provides a non-adherent dressing for wound management. For Non/Low exuding wounds. Conforms well to the wound and can be cut to shape. Polyurethane foam film backing. & Absorbent foam pad with a vapour permeable backing and soft silicone layer. Can be used in the
(non to low exuding Border Transfer management of burns and patients with fragile skin Thin sheet of hydrophilic open-cell polyurethane foam. Transfers exudate away from the wound. Indicated for non-exuding to heavily exuding wounds and difficult to treat wounds such as cancer wounds. Requires secondary dressing. Foams (low to heavily exuding Biatain Lyofoam tracheostomy Adhesive versions of these products should be avoided on vulnerable skin e.g. Leg Ulcers For use on light/medium exuding wounds. The adhesive has a skin-friendly hydrocolloid adhesive and a central absorbent pad with a waterproof semipermeable film backing See under silicone dressing for use with vulnerable, friable skin Designed to fit closely around tubes etc Medicated bandages Zinc paste Viscopaste Steripaste Apply toe to knee in a folded pleated spiral. Patch test prior to use. Can be used as reduced compression or as a skin protection when using larval therapy PCT only. Apply as above. Preservative free option. Does not contain any parabens Hydrogels (for dry or low exuding Sheet hydrogel (low to moderate exuding Purilon gel Granugel Actiform Cool A hydrogel/alginate gel consisting of a calcium alginate, CMC (sodium carboxymethylcellulose) and more than 90% water. Gel changing interval may be up to 3 days. 80% water, CMC, pectin and 15% propylene glycol. Comes with single use sterile nozzle Non-adhesive, high water content hydrogel sheet. Has two sided hydrogel formed around a polythene matrix. Use to manage nocioceptive wound pain, assist in autolytic debridement by hydration of necrotic and sloughy tissue, and for exudate absorption. Use for painful wounds, leg ulcers,radiation therpay damage, burns, scalds. May be used with secondary dressing and /or under compression. Permeable to water vapour, but impermeable to bacteria. Not suitable for covering deep,narrow cavities or sinuses.
Achieve haemostasis before application. Follow manufacturers instructions Hydrocolloids (low to moderate exuding Duoderm Extra Thin Comfeel Plus Hydrocolloids are not suitable for heavily exuding wounds or wounds infected with anaerobic organisms Semi-permeable hydrocolloid dressing without adhesive border. Useful in awkward areas and where a low profile dressing is required A calcium alginate/carboxymethylcellulose dressing with a top layer made from semi-permeable polyurethane film Alginates (moderate to heavily exuding wounds and also bleeding (low to moderate exuding Kaltostat Sorbsan Calcium (80%) and Sodium (20%) alginate fibre also available in a rope for packing cavities. Derived from brown seaweed (Laminaria hyperborea). Must be cut to the shape of the wound due to lateral wicking properties, for which maceration may be a potential consequence. Do not moisten prior to application on dry wounds. Find alternative appropriate dressing Calcium alginate which produces a soft amorphous gel Hydrofiber (moderate to heavily exuding Aquacel Aquacel rope 100% sodium carboxymethylcellulose (derived from wood pulp). Controlled and reduced lateral wicking. Allow 2cm overlap at wound edges to help reduce risk of maceration Do not pack wounds too tightly as the dressing swells and increases in size on absorption of exudates and therefore is a risk of possible pressure necrosis. It is recommended to leave 2 cm of ribbon outside the wound to allow easier removal Activated charcoal (odour absorbing) Carboflex Wound contact (fleecy) layer contains kaltostat and aquacel. This dressing should not be cut as it will expose the carbon to moisture more quickly and thereby deactivate the carbon. Recommended wear time of up to 3 days
Clinisorb Activated charcoal cloth sandwiched between viscose rayon. Can be cut to size without affecting effectiveness of charcoal. This will require a primary dressing Antimicrobial dressings (for infected or heavily bioburdened Povidone Iodine Cadexomer Iodine Topical antibiotic Silver dressings Inadine Iodoflex Iodosorb ointment Metrotop Aquacel Ag (also available in ribbon) Contreet Foam Adhesive / Non-adhesive See section on infected wounds for further guidance. If wound does not improve, reassess and seek further advice from the Tissue Viability. Short term use only (Maximum of 14 days). For contaminated minor wounds to reduce risk of infection. Note that once the dressing looses its colour it is not an effective antimicrobial. Usually requires changing daily Iodine is only released from the dressing when the cadexomer starch absorbs wound exudate. The paste can be moulded to the shape of the wound and be left in place for up to 72 hours (dependant on amount of exudate). The amount must not exceed 150g. Maximum duration of therapy is 3 months Licensed for single use only For fungating wounds and short term use for anaerobic infections under direction of medical staff/microbiologist Only to be used as a primary dressing when an antimicrobial and a foam dressing is clinically indicated. May be left in situ for UP TO 7 days. It may cause transient discolouration of the wound bed. Silver ion release is sustained for up to 7 days providing wound exudate is absorbed into the dressing. Composite dressing (moderately exuding Versiva Composite meaning that the dressing is made from different dressing technologies and does not fit into any particular dressing category Top layer is polyurethane foam-film which allows moisture vapour transmission of exudate. This layer also acts as a bacterial and viral barrier Viscous material in centre wicks fluid away Non-woven fibrous hydrofiber layer absorbs and
retains exudates Wound contact layer of thin perforated hydrocolloid adhesive Compression bandages Please refer to the leg ulcer guidelines. Compression bandaging should only be applied by competent practitioners who have successfully completed a leg ulcer course. Contact the Leg Ulcer Specialist Nurse or Vascular Specialist Nurse in the Vascular Assessment Department for further information (ext 4210 or 4937). Soap substitutes and Emollients The emollient of choice should be based on clinical judgement, cost and patients preference. Always consider possible allergies Barrier products Potassium permanganate Aqueous cream Dermol 600 Dermol 500 Dermol Cream 50/50 Cavilon film or Cavilon spray Cavilon durable barrier cream Sudocrem Drapolene Permitabs Emulsifying ointment, phenoxyethanol, purified water Antimicrobial bath emollient Antimicrobial lotion Antimicrobial cream 50% white soft paraffin & 50% liquid paraffin particularly for skin surrounding leg ulcers. Protect/treat excoriated or macerated skin. Can be used in moist areas where it is difficult to get dressing adhesion. No sting properties on damaged skin Used to protect vulnerable areas. Especially useful for patients with diarrhoea and associated skin soreness. Do not use Cavilon cream on broken skin. For skin protection due to incontinence. Contains propylene gycol and fragrance, amongst other products. For skin protection due to incontinence. Short term daily treatment for wet weepy, infected eczema. 1 in 10,000 strength i.e. pale pink in colour. If solution is too strong it may be too painful for the patient to tolerate. Soak limb for a minimum of 10 minutes. It may cause staining, especially to the toe nails. Applying Vaseline to toe nails may help to reduce discolouration