Smith & Nephew Allevyn Adhesive Sacrum Dressing, Small - Large

There are many times when best patient care demands a combination of virtues in the same dressing: high absorbency, conformability, secure self-adhesion as well as waterproof and bacteria-proof performance.

ALLEVYN Adhesive, with its unique triple layer formation, has been designed to achieve this combination to ensure optimal fluid handling to support moist wound healing. ALLEVYN Adhesive is an economically-efficient dressing specifically designed to manage chronic or acute exuding wounds.

• The unique triple action technology helps to maintain an optimal balance in fluid creating a moist wound environment for healing
• The low allergy adhesive helps to keep the dressing securely in place without adhering to the wound
• The highly breathable top film helps to minimise the risk of maceration to the wound and peri-wound
• Provides an effective barrier function to exogenous bacteria as well as helping to prevent fluid and bacterial strikethrough
• Easy to apply and remove
• Conforms to body contours and is very comfortable for patients
• Available in a wide range of sizes which can be cut to fit awkward areas such as elbows and heels
• Sacral sizes available which combine the same high-absorbency and secure self-adhesion in an anatomically-shaped dressing.

ALLEVYN Adhesive dressings are indicated for use on:

• Shallow, granulating wounds
• Chronic and acute exudative wounds
• Full and partial thickness wounds such as pressure ulcers, leg ulcers and diabetic foot ulcers
• Infected wounds
• Malignant wounds
• Surgical wounds
• First and second degree burns
• Donor sites
• Fungating wounds

Technology

ALLEVYN Adhesive consists of a highly absorbent hydrocellular foam pad held between an adhesive perforated wound contact layer and a highly permeable outer top film.

Breathable Top Film

The outer polyurethane top film switches to become more breathable in the presence of exudate. It also helps to prevent strikethrough and provides an effective barrier to bacteria and minimises the risk of cross contamination.

Highly Absorbent Foam Core

The hydrocellular foam core is highly absorbent, providing absorption capacity for up to 7 days.

Non-Adherent Wound Contact Layer

The wound contact layer has a low allergy based adhesive, which adheres well to intact skin, will not stick to the wound and has a proven low risk of skin irritation. The unique triple layer technology effectively manages exudate helping to ensure that the wound is kept at optimum moisture levels to support moist wound healing. It does this by:

• Transpiring enough fluid to keep the dressing comfortable and conformable.
• Retaining enough fluid to keep a healthily moist wound environment.
• Absorbing enough fluid to remove unwanted exudate and cellular debris.

Indications

ALLEVYN Adhesive is indicated for wound management by secondary intention on shallow, granulating wounds, chronic and acute exudative wounds, full and partial thickness wounds such as pressure ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, leg ulcers, fungating wounds, infected wounds, malignant wounds, surgical wounds, donor sites and 1st and 2nd degree burns.

Application

Cleanse the wound in accordance with normal procedures. Select appropriate dressing size. Prepare and clean the skin surrounding the wound area and remove excess moisture. Any excess hair should be clipped to ensure close approximation to the wound. NO-STING SKIN-PREP wipes may be used prior to application of ALLEVYN Adhesive where fragile skin is involved. Remove one of the protector films and anchor the adhesive side of the dressing to the skin.

Remove the remaining protector film and smooth the dressing over the remainder of the wound without stretching, ensuring there are no creases. The pad area of the dressing must be adhered across the entire surface of the wound. ALLEVYN Adhesive can be cut to dress wounds on the heel, elbows and other awkward areas. Always use a clean technique when cutting the dressing. If the dressing has been cut ensure any exposed foam areas are covered with an appropriate film dressing taking care not to cover the entire dressing.

Frequency of change

During the early stages of wound management ALLEVYN Adhesive should be inspected according to local clinical protocol. Where the product is used on infected wounds the infection should be inspected and treated as per local clinical protocol. Dressings can be left in place for up to 7 days, except the sacral area where dressings can be left in place for up to 5 days, depending on the condition of the wound and the surrounding skin or until exudate is visible and approaches to within 2cm of the edge of the dressing pad, whichever is sooner. The decision of when to change should be dependent upon clinical assessment and local protocols should also be taken into consideration.

Removal

To remove ALLEVYN Adhesive, lift one corner of the dressing and slowly peel back until completely removed from the wound. Sacral dressings should be removed from the top edge and down towards the anus to minimise the chance of transmitting infection.

Precautions

Do not use ALLEVYN Adhesive with oxidising agents such as hypochlorite solutions (e.g. EUSOL) or hydrogen peroxide, as these can break down the absorbent polyurethane component of the dressing. If reddening or sensitisation occur discontinue use. ALLEVYN Adhesive is a single use product. In common with all adhesive products, some cases of irritation and/or maceration of the skin surrounding the wound have been reported. Infrequently cases of sensitivity to the dressing have been reported. It should be noted that inappropriate use or too frequent dressing changes, particularly on patients with fragile skin, can result in skin stripping. If reddening or sensitisation occur, discontinue use.

ALLEVYN Can Adapt, Even to The Most Challenging Body Parts
People have lumps and bumps. They have curves, folds and awkward bits.