The importance of the combination of dressing technology and antimicrobial agent was illustrated recently in a study by Bowler et al. 8– 10 These studies reported positive clinical outcomes related to control of bacterial balance, wound healing, pain at dressing changes, cost-effectiveness, time to healing, frequency of dressing changes, and nursing time.
1, 2Īdditionally, multiple clinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy of AQUACEL Ag dressing in a variety of chronic and acute wounds. Numerous in vitro studies have demonstrated the unique fluid-handling properties of Hydrofiber Technology, 4– 6 as well as the rapid and sustained antimicrobial efficacy of AQUACEL Ag dressing. A broader perspective considers the influence of the carrier dressing on wound progression by managing factors important to wound healing, including exudate management, conformability to the wound bed, and bacterial sequestration. Overall, for AQUACEL Ag dressing, the combination of dressing technology and the antimicrobial agent may lead to clinical benefits that help manage and prevent infection, promote wound healing, and maximize patient's comfort.Ī recent publication 7 suggested that viewing silver dressings as passive delivery vehicles/carriers for silver may disregard contributions of the carrier dressing. The gel supports a moist wound healing environment conducive to optimal healing and formation of granulation tissue, whereas the fluid handling properties allow for a longer wear time, minimizing the need for frequent dressing changes. The vertical wicking prevents lateral spread of fluid to surrounding skin, promotes optimal exudate management, and minimizes the risk of periwound maceration. The clinical implications of this dressing's unique mechanism of action include prevention of voids or spaces where fluid and bacteria can collect while maximizing exposure of superficial bioburden to the ionic silver. 5, 6 In addition, this gel formation provides intimate contact with the wound bed and prevents lateral spread of fluid. 4 This gel formation locks in fluid and its harmful components (including bacteria and proteases). Hydrofiber Technology is an innovative technology with regard to its mechanism of action, as its physicochemical structure ensures that fluid is absorbed directly into the fibers, which coalesce to form a cohesive gel. 3 In this manner, the unique properties of AQUACEL Ag dressing allow it to promote wound healing while effectively preventing and managing infection, actions that may be attributed to the combination of the antimicrobial agent and the dressing technology. 1, 2 In addition, its ability to micro-contour to the wound bed maximizes the availability of the antimicrobial agent.
AQUACEL Ag dressing provides rapid and sustained antimicrobial activity for up to 14 days by responding to changes in the components of the wound fluid with increased silver ion availability as needed.
The physical properties of Hydrofiber Technology are designed to promote the benefits of moist wound healing by forming a gel on contact with exudate, providing effective fluid management, removing harmful bacteria and enzymes, and providing conformability of the dressing to the wound bed, reducing dead space where bacteria can thrive.ĪQUACEL® Ag dressing combines the benefits of Hydrofiber Technology with ionic silver, a proven broad-spectrum antimicrobial. Hydrofiber® Technology is based on an innovative sodium carboxymethylcellulose hydrocolloid fiber material.
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