Dressing Selection

Wound dressings play an important part in creating the right environment in which wounds heal efficiently with an optimum cosmetic outcome. The selection of a dressing may only be a part of the requirement for effective wound healing. A full holistic assessment is advised for patients whose wounds do not heal in a normal pattern or time frame. Please see the Wounds section for further information about wound aetiology and the healing process.

Dressings are selected according to the patient needs, wound classification and anatomical site. Some wounds will only need a protective self-adherent dressing with or without an absorbent pad. For deeper wounds or wounds with compromised healing a primary dressing may be used in combination with a secondary dressing to cover and protect the wound. Combining two (or more) dressings in the treatment of a wound provides greater flexibility in treating the symptoms of the wound. A guideline to selecting dressings from the Advancis Medical range is included below. Dressings are selected to manage the wound environment and achieve an optimum wound healing state by:-

• Achieving a moist, not dry or over wet state
• Eliminating debris, slough and necrotic tissue
• Reducing bacterial contamination
• Protecting from abrasion or contamination
• Keeping the wound warm
• Preventing adherence to newly formed tissue
• Leave wound as undisturbed as possible

Further considerations are associated with psychological aspects of wound healing:-

• Minimising pain or skin sensitization on dressing change
• Achieving an acceptable cosmetic result for the healed wound

Advancis Medical offers a choice of potential dressings to facilitate progressive and acceptable wound healing that address all the above criteria. It should be noted though that not all wounds have the potential to heal. This may be due to factors the general health of the patient or disease e.g. cancer. In all cases it is important to use the most appropriate dressing regimen to maximize comfort and dignity for the patient. The dressing selection criteria are basically the same whether the wound may heal or not.

Further information on each of our dressings is included in the Products section. The guide below is for quick reference purposes only. Wound assessment is a specialized clinical discipline and can only be reliably performed by a specialist nurse or doctor. Select the dressing according to the wound assessment. If the dressing is not a self-adherent dressing then it will need securing with a suitable second dressing, tape or bandage of choice.

Dressing Selection Guide - Click here to download PDF version

Dressing features:

Direct wound contact dressings are intended for direct application with the wound bed. They are selected according to the wound assessment indications. They do not adhere to newly formed tissue and are easily removed from the wound.

Self-adherent dressings are intended to cover and protect a wound and may be used in combination with non-adherent dressings if the wound assessment indicates the need. These dressings provide protective bacterial barriers with or without absorption of exudates. Advancis Medical adherent dressings use Silfix® soft silicone technology for safe and gentle wound care.