SMTL Dressings Datacard

Description

Tegaderm Plus consists of a thin polyurethane membrane coated with a layer of an acrylic adhesive that contains 2% available iodine in the form of an iodophor. In contact with skin, the iodophor slowly releases iodine, which has bactericidal activity and provides protection against infection. The dressing, which is permeable to both water vapour and oxygen, is impermeable to micro-organisms; once in position, it provides an effective barrier to external contamination, whilst producing a moist environment at the surface of the wound by reducing water vapour loss from the exposed tissue. Under these conditions in shallow wounds, scab formation is prevented and epidermal regeneration takes place at an enhanced rate, compared with that which occurs in wounds treated with traditional dry dressings.

Indications

Although Tegaderm Plus may be used in the treatment of minor burns, pressure areas, donor sites, post-operative wounds, and a variety of minor injuries (including abrasions and lacerations), it is principally used to retain peripheral and central IV catheters. The transparent nature of the dressing allows the site to be constantly monitored for signs of infection, leakage or catheter misplacement.

Contra-indications

Although there are no absolute contra-indications to the use of Tegaderm Plus, it is not recommended that the material be applied over deep cavity wounds, third degree burns, or wounds that show evidence of clinical infection.

Tegaderm Plus should not be applied to patients who are known or suspected to be sensitive to iodine.

Method of use

Tegaderm Plus utilises a novel system to facilitate application of the dressing to the surface of the wound. The film is enclosed between two liners: on the adhesive surface is a printed sheet of release paper, and on the outer, non-adhesive surface is a slightly more rigid sheet of thin card. The central portion of the card may be removed, leaving the film suspended on a frame, which facilitates easy precise placement of the dressing and reduces wrinkling. Once in position, the frame is removed and the film is lightly smoothed into position.

In order to ensure good adhesion, the dressing should be allowed a minimum overlap of 4-5 cm from the margin of the wound onto the surrounding dry skin. On clean, heavily exuding wounds, such as donor sites, large quantities of fluid sometimes accumulate beneath the film. This should be left undisturbed as far as possible, but if the accumulation becomes excessive, it may be aspirated with a syringe using an aseptic technique. A small patch of Tegaderm Plus should be applied over the puncture to prevent leakage or contamination.

When Tegaderm Plus is used to dress a cannula site, the area should first be cleansed with alcohol or saline and carefully dried, ensuring that all traces of creams or detergents have been removed.

Frequency of Change

Provided there is no evidence of infection or any other problem, Tegaderm Plus may be left in position for an extended period, or until the catheter is removed or changed, in accordance with good nursing practice.

Presentation

Tegaderm Plus is presented individually wrapped in peel pouches, sterilised by gamma irradiation.

Sizes

6 cm × 8 cm

10 cm × 15 cm

Bibliography

1. Thomas S, et al., Comparative review of the properties of six semipermeable film dressings, Pharm. J., 1988, 240, 785-787.

Notes

Tegaderm Plus is no longer available in Europe.

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/tegaderm.plu.html
Last Modified: Thursday, 28-Mar-2002 10:23:24 GMT