SMTL Dressings Datacard

Description

Allevyn Heel is a cup-shaped dressing consisting of a layer of soft, hydrophilic polyurethane foam, about six millimetres thick, bonded to a pink semi-permeable polyurethane film.

Although the film is permeable to moisture vapour, it provides an effective barrier to water or wound exudate and also prevents the passage of microorganisms through the back of the dressing.

The wound contact surface is covered with a perforated film, designed to prevent it from adhering to fragile new tissue.

When applied to an exuding wound, the foam layer absorbs excess fluid, but as exudate production decreases, the film backing regulates the evaporative loss of moisture and stops the dressing from drying out completely.

In this way the dressing maintains the wound in a moist condition and thus provides a micro-environment that is conducive to healing.

Indications

Allevyn Heel may be applied to a variety of granulating wounds on difficult to dress areas such as heels, elbows, stumps, scrotums, babies' heads and other anatomical areas where a flat dressing is not appropriate.

Contra-indications

No absolute contra-indications to the use of Allevyn Heel have been reported, but the dressing will be of limited value if applied to dry wounds such as those covered with a scab or hard black necrotic tissue. Before application of the dressing this should be removed, either surgically, or by some other means.

Method of use

After cleansing the wound in accordance with normal practice, the dressing is applied with the inner white layer in contact with the wound and the pink surface facing outwards. The dressing, which can be cut if necessary, may be secured with a bandage, surgical tape or some other suitable adhesive product, taking care not to occlude the semi-permeable outer membrane.

Frequency of Change

The frequency with which Allevyn Heel should be changed depends upon the nature of the wound and the amount of exudate produced. On a clean non-infected wound, it may be left in position for up to seven days, but more frequent changes will be required on infected or heavily exuding wounds.

Warnings

None.

Presentation

Allevyn Heel is presented in a plastic and paper peel pouch, sterilised by irradiation.

Sizes

The dressing is produced in one size, 10.5cm x 13.5cm, and is available on Drug Tariff.

Bibliography

Availability

Further information on obtaining Smith & Nephew products is available on the Smith & Nephew 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/allevyn-heel.html
Last Modified: Tuesday, 31-Jan-2006 12:05:29 GMT