Home / News / AQUACEL foam dressing enhances patient comfort

AQUACEL foam dressing enhances patient comfort

14 Jun '12

3 min read

ConvaTec Inc, a world-leading developer and marketer of innovative medical technologies for community and hospital care, announced the introduction of AQUACEL foam dressing, the first dressing to combine a soft absorbent foam pad with the healing benefits of the company's proprietary AQUACEL interface for use in the management of wounds. ConvaTec announced the U.S. launch of AQUACEL foam dressing at the 44th annual Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society (WOCN) in Charlotte, North Carolina.

AQUACEL foam dressing is specially designed to meet wound management challenges.

It has a waterproof barrier that allows for the evaporation of excess moisture and protection against viral and bacterial penetration.The soft absorbent foam pad enhances patient comfort and absorbs excess fluid.

“Wounds are painful to begin with. Adding pain with the removal of a dressing adds to patient discomfort,” said Donna Scemons, PhD, MA, FNP-C, CWOCN, Healthcare Systems, Inc., Los Angeles, CA. “AQUACEL foam dressing represents a major advance in our efforts to manage wounds more effectively while reducing patient pain during wear and removal.

The AQUACEL dressing interface is engineered to gel on contact with wound exudates. This allows the dressing to micro-contour to the wound bed, minimizing dead space where bacteria can grow. The interface also maintains a moist wound environment that supports the body's healing process and prevents lateral spread of fluid to reduce the risk of maceration.

“With the ability to lock in wound exudate, the AQUACEL dressing interface creates an ideal environment for wound management,” said Stephanie Yates, RN, MSN, CWOCN, Duke Wound Management Clinic, Duke University Hospital. “The dressing comes in a wide range of shapes and sizes, making it easier for clinicians to select an appropriate and conforming dressing for any wound quickly and conveniently.”

AQUACEL foam dressing has a gentle silicone adhesive designed to adhere only to the surrounding skin, not to the wound bed. The silicone allows for easy application and nontraumatic dressing removal.

“With AQUACEL foam dressing, we worked to custom design an easy to use and comfortable foam dressing that incorporates the AQUACEL dressing interface, which has been proven to support wound healing,” states Kevin Leach, Vice President, U.S. Wound Therapeutics and Critical Care at ConvaTec. “AQUACEL foam dressing is engineered to deliver patients and clinicians a new standard of care that addresses the most significant challenges in effective wound management.”

AQUACEL foam dressing is available in the U.S. in adhesive and non-adhesive dressing options in a range of sizes. The dressings can be cut to any shape or size while maintaining all of the benefits of the AQUACEL dressing interface.

ConvaTec is a leading developer and marketer of innovative medical technologies that have helped improve the lives of millions of people worldwide. With four key focus areas – Ostomy Care, Wound Therapeutics, Continence and Critical Care, and Infusion Devices – ConvaTec products support healthcare professionals from the hospital to the community health setting.

ConvaTec Inc