How do you use ACTICOAT dressing?
Apply the dressing to the wound surface. Moisten the dressing with drinking water (DO NOT use saline). Remove excess water prior to application e.g. leave to drain on a sterile field for approximately 2 minutes. Change the dressing depending on the amount of exudate present and the condition of the wound.
How long can you leave ACTICOAT on?
These dressings are designed to remain in intimate contact with the wound bed, stretch as the patient moves and be easy to apply and remove. Highly conformable silver coated knitted polyester that allows the passage of exudate. ACTICOAT Flex 3 can be worn for up to 3 days while Flex 7 can be used for up to 7 days.
When should I stop using ACTICOAT?
Stinging can be reduced in many cases by placing the moistened ACTICOAT on sterile gauze for 2-3 minutes to drain excess water prior to application. If the patient continues to feel a stinging sensation, a silver sensitivity may be involved and the use of ACTICOAT should be discontinued.
What type of dressing is ACTICOAT?
ACTICOAT* Silver-Coated Antimicrobial Barrier Dressings are used to manage wounds by providing broad-spectrum bactericidal activity against over 150 pathogens in 30 minutes.
How do you apply ACTICOAT to a wound?
Apply the ACTICOAT 7 dressing to the wound surface, either side down. Cover the dressing with a moist absorbent secondary dressing which may be prepared by saturating gauze with sterile water and wringing out the excess water. Complete the dressing with appropriate gauze wrappings if necessary.
Does ACTICOAT need to be wet?
Acticoat® must be kept damp at all times, not wet. Check your dressing every 2-3 hours while you are awake to make sure it stays damp. If the dressing is dry use tap water, sterile water, or distilled water to moisten it. Do not use well water or normal saline.
How often do you change ACTICOAT?
An Acticoat dressing has 3 layers: 2 outer mesh layers and an inner absorbent layer. The outer layers are coated with silver and help prevent bacteria from getting into your wound. The inner layer keeps your wound moist. You will need to change your dressing every 3 days.
Why does ACTICOAT need to be moistened?
Acticoat is an anti-microbial barrier dressing used to prevent infection and aid the healing of burns and wounds. It works by forming a protective barrier over a wound, killing bacteria and keeping the surface of the wound moist. It is important that the dressing is kept moist.
How do you remove Acticoat dressing?
Removing an Acticoat dressing
- Moisten the Acticoat if it sticks to your wound when you change it. Moisten only with sterile water.
- Remove the Acticoat very gently. Never pull hard or rip the dressing. You could damage the wound and slow your recovery time.
- Dispose of waste materials in a plastic bag.
Can you use normal saline with ACTICOAT?
Do not use normal saline( NaCl) with Acticoat Flex as chloride (Cl-) alters the silver (Ag+) compound and decreases the effectiveness of the product. Cover with appropriate bordered cover dressing. Leave at least a 2cm border beyond the margins of the wound.
Which side of ACTICOAT is applied to wound?
Apply the ACTICOAT 7 dressing to the wound surface, either side down. Cover the dressing with a moist absorbent secondary dressing which may be prepared by saturating gauze with sterile water and wringing out the excess water.
How often do you change Acticoat?