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hydrocolloid dressing; wafer dressing
Characteristics:
1) wafer dressing that interacts with wound exudate to form a moist gel on the wound base
2) impermeable to oxygen (occlusive)
3) impermeable to bacteria
4) adhesive
Indications:
1) wounds with low to moderate exudate
2) partial or full-thickness wounds
3) granular or necrotic wounds
4) pressure ulcers
- appropriate for partial-thickness pressure ulcers [1]
5) venous ulcers
6) may be used over wound fillers, alginates or hydrogels depending upon amount of drainage
Contraindications:
1) infected wounds
2) 3rd degree burns
3) diabetic ulcers
4) arterial ulcers
5) wounds with heavy exudates
6) fragile surrounding skin
7) full-thickness pressure ulcers with dead space [1]
Mechanism of action:
1) surface of dressing mixes with wound fluid to form a gel
2) allows migration of epithelial cells onto the surface of the ulcer
Advantages:
1) protection, bacterial & physical barrier
2) autolysis
3) waterproof
4) flexible
5) pain reduction
6) moist environment
7) 3-7 day wear time
8) insulates wound
9) absorbent
Disadvantages:
1) odor
2) may strip fragile skin upon removal
3) excess drainage can cause maceration of surrounding skin
4) potential for sensitivity to adhesive
Notes:
Helpful hints:
1) consider patch test to check for allergy to adhesive when using over venous ulcers
2) cover at least 1 inch of surrounding skin for improved adhesion
3) change dressing before it leaks
4) educate families in advance of the odor & drainage associated with use of these products
Products:
1) CarraSmart
2) Comfeel
3) Curaderm
4) Cutinova-Hydro
5) DermaCol
6) DuoDerm CGF dressing
7) Exuderm
8) Hydrocol
9) Replicare
10) Restore
11) SignaDress
12) Sorbex
13) Tegasorb
14) Ultec
Specific
CarraSmart hydrocolloid
Comfeel hydrocolloid
Curaderm
Cutinova Hydro
DermaCol
DuoDerm CGF (control gel formula) dressing
Exuderm
Hydrocol
RepliCare
Restore hydrocolloid
SignaDress
Sorbex
Tegasorb
Ultec
General
wound dressing
References
- Geriatrics Review Syllabus,
American Geriatrics Society,
5th edition, 2002-2004
- Geriatric Review Syllabus, 11th edition (GRS11)
Harper GM, Lyons WL, Potter JF (eds)
American Geriatrics Society, 2022
- Department of Veterans Affairs, VA National Formulary
- Medical Knowledge Self Assessment Program (MKSAP) 15,
American College of Physicians, Philadelphia 2009