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Roger's Focus

In the last issue of PolyMem® QuadraFoam® Quarterly, I pointed out that no other dressing can optimize moist wound healing conditions like PolyMem QuadraFoam dressings. In this issue, we will focus attention on the fact that PolyMem's unique ability to continuously cleanse the wound bed usually eliminates the need to manually cleanse the wound bed during dressing changes. Only PolyMem’s unique QuadraFoam dressings can continuously cleanse without risking traumatic damage to the healing tissues. Obtaining and maintaining a clean wound bed is recognized as necessary to closing a wound. PolyMem dressings continuously cleanse the wound bed and remove bioburden through the synergistic actions of four dressing components: a mild nontoxic, nonionic, tissue friendly cleansing agent; a super-absorbent; moisturizer (glycerol); and the unique dressing matrix into which the other components are integrated. This dressing formulation helps soften, loosen, and draw non-viable tissue and debris to the dressing where it is locked into the porous, convoluted sponge-like structures in the dressing. During dressing change, the non-viable tissue and other debris are removed and discarded as part of the disposal of the dressing. Initial wound cleansing is still necessary before initiating use of PolyMem dressings. However, since PolyMem is continuously cleansing the wound, the need for cleansing at subsequent dressing changes is usually eliminated. The lack of manual wound bed cleansing while using PolyMem dressings allows newly formed tissues to proliferate, helps promote healing, and helps reduce pain during dressing changes.
Since PolyMem dressings usually eliminate the need for manual wound bed cleansing, which is known to be a key source of procedural pain, and also are nonadherent to the wound bed, PolyMem dressing changes are often pain free.
Sincerely,
Roger Sessions, D.O., FACEP
Chairman and CEO

PolyMem QuadraFoam and Cleansing the Wound Bed

Imagine that you have a patient who presents you with a wound which appears deep with serous drainage and a yellow slough covered base. You know you want this wound clean and beefy red. However, you are unsure if there are exposed tendons or bone under the slough and you do not want to damage either of these in the process of cleansing the wound bed. What would you reach for to cleanse this wound and begin the healing process?
Cleansing the wound is recognized as necessary during initial care of the wound. Nonionic, nontoxic, tissue friendly commercial cleansing agents are recommended for use to effectively cleanse the wound, manage bioburden and remove surface debris and contaminants at the first visit and during subsequent visits. Manual cleansing of the wound bed is recognized as causing procedural pain at the wound site. One textbook suggests a “…nontoxic cleansing solution in combination with a delivery device that will create sufficient mechanical force to remove the surface debris while limiting tissue injury…” is the ideal way to effectively cleanse a wound and manage its bioburden.* PolyMem dressings by definition meet this standard. PolyMem dressings draw the wound debris to the dressing which usually provides enough absorbing action to remove the debris.
As discussed above in the letter from Dr. Sessions, PolyMem dressings continuously cleanse the wound bed and remove bioburden. By adsorbing and removing bioburden, PolyMem dressings also remove the microbe’s food source, helping make the wound bed less conducive to microbial growth.
When using PolyMem dressing to help clean up a wound, more frequent dressing changes are often indicated so that fresh dressing surfaces are available to adsorb the wound debris.
Manual wound cleansing and dressing changes often cause additional pain for patients. The lack of manual wound cleansing while using PolyMem dressings allows newly formed tissues to proliferate, helps promote healing, and helps reduce pain in all types of wounds. Since PolyMem dressings are nonadherent and changes are quick and easy (simply remove old dressing and replace with a new dressing) the patient’s pain is often greatly reduced or eliminated.
PolyMem dressings are also available with silver for wounds that require the additional antimicrobial benefits of reduced microorganisms.
For more information on the PolyMem family of dressings and their continuous cleansing capabilities, please
contact us.

* Gardner S, Frantz RA. Chapter 9 Wound Bioburden in Wound Care Essentials: Practice Principles 2nd edition. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Ambler, PA. 2008. pages 107-113.

QuadraFoam News

• 11 posters are being presented at Clinical Symposium on Advances in Skin & Wound Care on October 26-29, 2008 in Las Vegas, NV. Topics include: pressure ulcers, tunneling wounds, surgical wounds, and more.
• Pearls for Practice – A variety of articles addressing various wound care challenges clinicians encounter along with comments on how PolyMem dressings can help address these issues, often with better results.

Featured Case Study

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An excellent example demonstrating the wound bed cleansing capabilities of PolyMem dressings.