SMTL Dressings Datacard

Description

PolyMem Island and Shapes consist of a hydrophilic pink polyurethane foam sheet about 3 mm thick bonded to a semipermeable polyurethane film which extends past the edges of the foam pad to form an adhesive island dressing.

Rectangular dressings are produced in a range of sizes and four oval-shaped dressings and a dressing for the sacral region are also available.

The foam contains a surfactant which is activated by moisture that is claimed to facilitate wound cleansing, a humectant (glycerol) which prevents the dressing drying out and adhering to the wound bed, and a starch copolymer to enhance the fluid handling properties of the foam.

In addition to providing means of fixation, the transparent, gas and moisture vapour semipermeable backing layer provides a barrier to liquid thereby preventing strikethrough and reducing the risk of bacterial contamination of the dressing or the local environment.

Indications

PolyMem Island and Shapes may be used in the treatment of light to moderately exuding wounds such as leg ulcers, pressure areas, donor sites, and other superficial granulating lesions.

Contra-indications

Although there are no known contra-indications to the use of PolyMem Island or Shapes, the dressings should not be used on individuals who are known to be sensitive to any of their components.

Method of use

A suitably sized PolyMem Island dressing should be selected the absorbent pad of which overlaps the wound margin by 1-2 cm in all directions. Once the wound has been cleansed or prepared in accordance with local protocols, the backing layer is removed from the dressing which should then be lightly smoothed into place without the application of tension.

Some of the smaller rectangular dressings have a further component, which consists of a thicker slightly rigid transparent plastic film that is used as a carrier for the flexible polyurethane film backing during the application of the dressing. This film is removed once the dressing is in place. Correct application of these dressings is facilitated by the presence of numbered tabs which must be removed in the order indicated during the application process.

Absorbent secondary dressings are not generally required or indicated with Poymem Island or Shapes.

Frequency of Change

The interval between dressing changes will depend entirely upon the state of the wound and the amount of exudate produced. As a general guide the dressing should be changed before the absorbed liquid reaches the margin of the absorbent pad. If the dressings require daily replacement, the use of an alternative product should be considered to avoid the need to change an adhesive dressing too frequently as this may cause damage to the peri-wound skin.

Warnings

Although there are no absolute contra-indications to the use of PolyMem Island or Shapes, the dressing should not be applied to anyone who is sensitive to any of its components. In wounds that develop signs of clinical infection, a change to a dressing with antimicrobial properties such as PolyMem Silver should be considered, and systemic antimicrobial therapy initiated where appropriate.

Presentation

The dressings are presented individually packed in peel pouches, sterilised by radiation.

Sizes

PolyMem Island is available in a range of sizes as follows;

• Island Dressing 10 x 13 cm
• Island Dressing 15 x 15 cm
• Island Dressing 10 x 30 cm
• Oval Dressing (1) 5 x 7.6 cm (2.5 x 3.8 cm pad)
• Oval Dressing (3) 5 x 7.6 cm (2.5 x 5 cm pad)
• Oval Dressing (5) 8.9 x 12.7 cm (5 x 7.6 cm pad)
• Oval Dressing (8) 16.5 x 20.9 cm (10.1 x 14.6 cm pad)
• Sacral Dressing 18.4 x 20 cm (11.4 x 12 cm pad)

Availability

Further information on obtaining Aspen Medical Europe products is available on the Aspen Medical Europe web site.

Revision Details

This datacard has been prepared from data provided by the manufacturer and/or from published literature.

URL: http://www.worldwidewounds.com/WMPRC/DataCards/HTML/PolymemIsland.html
Last Modified: Wednesday, 15-Apr-2009 11:28:17 BST