Derma Sciences, Princeton, New Jersey, has announced the commercial launch of new formulations in its MEDIHONEY line of dressings with active Leptospermum honey. The line will now consist of the following:
MEDIHONEY Calcium Alginate, designed for moderately to heavily exuding, partial- to full-thickness wounds;
MEDIHONEY Honeycolloid, designed for lightly to moderately exuding, partial- to full-thickness wounds; MEDIHONEY Honeycolloid Adhesive, designed for Stage II pressure ulcers, skin tears, and lightly draining diabetic ulcers; and MEDIHONEY that is dispensed from a tube and used for hard-to-dress wounds. Clinicians may use the optional applicator tip to apply into sinus wounds.
MEDIHONEY dressings are designed to help cleanse and debride wounds and to help lower wound pH-an important factor in wound healing.
[black up pointing small triangle]Information:http://www.dermasciences.com
KCI, Inc, San Antonio, Texas, announced that the first comprehensive publication of international best practices for the use of its V.A.C. Therapy was introduced at the Third Congress of the World Union of Wound Healing Societies (WUWHS) in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The document, "Principles of Best Practice-Vacuum Assisted Closure: Recommendations for Use, A Consensus Document," was developed by an international expert working group to provide guidance on the successful integration of V.A.C. Therapy into clinical practice for the treatment of 6 selected wound types. The types of wounds are diabetic foot ulcers, complex leg ulcers, pressure ulcers, dehisced sternal wounds, open abdominal wounds, and traumatic wounds. The initiative draws on both the significant clinical research evidence and the consensus, best-practice opinions of 26 international wound care experts in the group.
[black up pointing small triangle]Information:http://www.kci1.com
The first international best-practice guidelines on using compression therapy for the treatment of venous leg ulceration and chronic venous insufficiency were also unveiled at the WUWHS Congress. The consensus document, "Principles of Best Practice: Compression in Venous Leg Ulcers," was developed by an expert working group to help clinicians meet the challenges of achieving effective compression1-the gold standard of treatment for this chronic, debilitating, and costly medical problem.2
[black up pointing small triangle]Information:http://www.convatec.com
References
1. World Union of Wound Healing Societies. Principles of Best Practice: Compression in Venous Leg Ulcers. A Consensus Document. London: MEP Ltd; 2008.
2. Chronic venous insufficiency and venous ulceration-aetiology and treatment. EWMA [data on file]. ConvaTec; 2008.
Medline Industries, Inc, Mundelein, Illinois, has introduced a Pressure Ulcer Prevention Program to assist in reducing and preventing pressure ulcers and incontinence-associated skin conditions, which may include dermatitis and skin tears. Beginning October 1, 2008, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will no longer assign a higher diagnosis-related group for facility-acquired pressure ulcers. The financial implications of this new policy are enormous.
Medline stated that according to CMS, in fiscal year 2007, there were 257,412 preventable pressure ulcers reported as secondary diagnoses in hospitals. The average cost of each of those pressure ulcers is estimated to be $43,180 per hospital stay. In an effort to help customers understand and address this new policy, Medline consulted a panel of wound care experts to provide possible solutions. The result is a program that integrates a product bundle, education and training, and program support.
[black up pointing small triangle]Information:http://www.medline.com