Frequently Asked Questions About DURAFIBER Dressings
What sort of wounds can DURAFIBER be used on?
DURAFIBER can be used to manage chronic and acute full thickness, partial thickness or shallow granulating wounds such as: leg ulcers, pressure ulcers, diabetic ulcers, partial thickness burns, donor sites, surgical and trauma wounds, wounds left to heal by secondary intent, wounds prone to bleeding post debridement. NB DURAFIBER is not designed to be used as a surgical sponge.
How often does DURAFIBER need to be changed?
DURAFIBER can remain in place for up to 7 days as its high absorbent capacity helps to provide effective fluid management. Alternatively, it should be changed when clinically indicated eg if excessive exudate is present or leakage.
What sizes is DURAFIBER available in?
DURAFIBER is available in the following sizes - a) square: 5x5cm, 10x10cm, 15x15cm, b) rectangular: 4x10cm, 4x20cm, 4x30cm and c) ribbon: 2x45cm
How is DURAFIBER sterilised?
DURAFIBER is gamma irradiated.
How is DURAFIBER packaged?
DURAFIBER is packed in paper poly packaging.
How does the construction of DURAFIBER differ to Aquacel™* ?
With regard to the composition of the two products, both DURAFIBER and Aquacel are composed from 100% cellulose base fibres. The difference between the two products lies in the way in which these base fibres are modified to produce a dressing with gelling and absorbency properties. Convatec modifies the base cellulose fibres by carboxymethylation to produce a carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) based dressing which is capable of transforming into a gel and absorbing exudate.
Convatec have intellectual property protection that prevents other manufacturers from using CMC fibres in wound dressings of this type. With DURAFIBER, Smith & Nephew have developed an alternative way of modifiying the base cellulose fibres, namely ethyl sulphonation. This process produces a cellulose ethyl sulphonate (CES) based dressing which is similarly capable of transforming into a gel and absorbing exudate.
Does DURAFIBER work in the same way as Aquacel*?
DURAFIBER is a non woven gelling fibre dressing which has been designed to provide comparable performance to Aquacel with the result that it forms a soft cohesive gel on contact with fluid; conforms to the wound bed; locks in absorbed fluid and bacteria and prevents the lateral spread of fluid so minimising the risk of peri wound maceration 1,2,7,8
What benefits does DURAFIBER offer compared to Aquacel?
Compared to standard Aquacel, DURAFIBER has also been designed to offer over three and a half times better wet strength - gelled strength is important for facilitating easy one piece dressing removal 1,2,22, over 30% better absorbency - dressing absorbency is important for ensuring effective fluid management 1,2,22 and 43% less dressing shrinkage - minimal shrinkage is key to achieving sustained wound bed coverage 1,2,22
What information is there showing the performance of the product versus Aquacel*?
The physical properties of DURAFIBER and standard Aquacel have been compared in-vitro by Smith & Nephew and by an independent test house, SMTL. The results clearly show the two dressings to have similar performance characteristics, regardless of the differences in the chemical modification process 1,2,22. These results also show DURAFIBER to have better wet strength1,2,22,29, greater absorbency 1,2,22 and reduced dressing shrinkage 1,2,22 compared to standard Aquacel.
Frequently Asked Questions About DURAFIBER Ag Dressings
What sort of wounds can DURAFIBER Ag be used on?
DURAFIBER Ag can be used to manage chronic and acute, full thickness, partial thickness, or shallow granulating exuding wounds. For example: leg ulcers; pressure ulcers; diabetic ulcers; surgical wounds; traumatic wounds; donor sites; partial thickness burns; tunnelling and fistulae wounds; wounds left to heal by secondary intent; and wounds that are prone to bleeding such as wounds that have been surgically or mechanically debrided.
How often does DURAFIBER Ag need to be changed?
DURAFIBER Ag can remain in place for up to 7 days as its high absorbent capacity helps to provide effective fluid management. Alternatively, it should be changed when clinically indicated, e.g., if excessive exudate is present or leakage.
What sizes is DURAFIBER Ag available in?
DURAFIBER is available in the following sizes - a) square: 5x5cm, 10x10cm, 15x15cm, b) rectangular: 20x30cm 4x10cm, 4x20cm, 4x30cm and c) ribbon: 2x45cm
How is DURAFIBER Ag sterilised?
DURAFIBER is gamma irradiated.
How is DURAFIBER Ag packaged?
DURAFIBER is packed in foil
What benefits does DURAFIBER Ag offer compared to Aquacel Ag**?
Compared to standard Aquacel Ag, DURAFIBER Ag has also been designed to offer over three and a half times better wet strength - gelled strength is important for facilitating easy one piece dressing removal, over 17% better absorbency - dressing absorbency is important for ensuring effective fluid management and 43% less dressing shrinkage - minimal shrinkage is key to achieving sustained wound bed coverage
What information is there showing the performance (in vitro) of the product versus Aquacel Ag**?
The physical properties of DURAFIBER Ag and standard Aquacel Ag have been compared (in vitro) by Smith & Nephew. The results clearly show the two dressings to have similar performance characteristics, regardless of the differences in the chemical modification process. These results also show DURAFIBER Ag to have better wet strength, greater absorbency and reduced dressing shrinkage compared to standard Aquacel Ag. DURAFIBER Ag has equivalent antimicrobial performance to Aquacel Ag
What type of silver does DURAFIBER Ag Contain?
Silver chloride is present in the dressing, which disintegrates into silver ions that are released into the wound.
References
1 Smith & Nephew Report DS.10.056 R1 05 2010 DURAFIBER Dressing Physical Properties.
2 DS.11.187.DOF Testing Performed as Part of DURAFIBER Photo Shoot.
3 Case Series Evaluation: The Use of DURAFIBER on Exuding Wounds. Wounds UK 2012,Vol 8, No 3.
4 Smith & Nephew Wound Management Laboratory Report Reference DS/10/060/R1, DURAFIBER Ag Dressing Physical Properties, Dowler A, September 2010.
5 Smith & Nephew Wound Management, Data on File Report Reference OR- DOF/28, A prospective, open, multicentre study to evaluate a new fibrous silver dressing in the treatment of moderate to highly exuding chronic wounds, Rafiq G, Fenton S January 2013.
6 Smith & Nephew Wound Management Laboratory Report Reference DS/12/093/DOF, Integrity Testing of DURAFIBER Ag in horse serum and ionic solution, Dowler A, April 2012.
7 Smith & Nephew Wound Management Data on File 10.040.01 April 2010 Visual demonstration of sequestration of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus in a DURAFIBER dressing using confocal microscopy.
8 Smith & Nephew Report DS.10.042 R1 Report of testing on lateral wicking of DURAFIBER versus AquacelTM and Kaltostat TM dressings.
9 Smith & Nephew Wound Management Laboratory Report Reference DS/12/109/DOF, Testing on Absorption of DURAFIBER Ag versus Aquacel Ag during compression, Dowler A, April 2012.
10 Smith & Nephew Wound Management Laboratory Report Reference DS/12/158/DOF, Sequestration Testing of DURAFIBER Ag, Aquacel Ag and SorbsanTM Silver Flat, Dowler A,June 2012.
11 Smith & Nephew Wound Management Laboratory Report Reference DS/12/108/DOF, Testing on lateral wicking of DURAFIBER Ag versus Aquacel Ag and MaxorbTM Extra Ag dressings, Dowler A, April 2012.
12 Smith & Nephew Research Centre Review Report, The potential for proliferation of bacteria in wound exudate, Report Reference RR-WMP06290-40-01, Woodmansey E, April 2010.
13 Smith & Nephew Wound Management, Data on file report reference 1208007, Visual demonstration of sequestration of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus in a DURAFIBER Ag dressing using confocal microscopy. Lumb H, August 2012.
14 Smith & Nephew Wound Management, Data on file report reference 1004007, Antimicrobial activity of DURAFIBER Ag and Aquacel Ag against bacteria, yeast and fungi commonly found in wounds over a 7 day period, Woodmansey E, April 2010.
15 Smith & Nephew Wound Management, Data on file report reference 1009012, Antimicrobial activity of DURAFIBER Ag against bacteria, yeast and fungi commonly found in wounds over a 7 day period, Vaughan KL, McMillan J, Lumb H and Woodmansey E, September 2010.
16 Smith & Nephew Wound Management, Data on file report reference 1004009, Assessment of the contact kill activity of DURAFIBER Ag against common wound pathogens, Woodmansey E, April 2010.
17 Smith & Nephew Wound Management, Data on file report reference 1009013, Antimicrobial activity of DURAFIBER Ag against bacteria, yeast and fungi commonly found in wounds over a 4 hour period, Vaughan KL, McMillan J, Lumb H and Woodmansey E, September 2010.
18 World Union of Wound Healing Societies (WUWHS) Principles of best practice. Wound exudate and the role of dressings. A consensus document London MED Ltd. 2007.
19 Smith & Nephew Wound Management Laboratory Report Reference DS/12/143/DOF, Intimate Contact Testing of DURAFIBER Ag, Aquacel Ag and Sorbsan Silver Flat, Dowler A, June 2012.
20 Smith & Nephew Research Centre Review Report RR WMP06290-40-01 The potential for proliferation of bacteria in wound exudate.
21 The Clinical and Physical Properties of DURAFIBER Ag, the Moist Wound Environment and the Autolytic Debridement, Myers D, July 2012.
22 Smith & Nephew Report DS.10.013 R1 02 2010 Aquacel Dressing Physical Properties.
23 Smith & Nephew Wound Management Laboratory Report Reference DS/10/060/R2, Aquacel Ag Dressing Physical Properties.
24 NHS Drug Tariff August 2012 http://www.ppa.org.uk/ppa/edit_intro.htm
25 Unit costs of health and social care, Curtis, L. PSSRU: 2010.
26 Siddiqui AR, Bernstein JM (2010).
27 DURAFIBER Technology video
28 Smith & Nephew Report DS/12/314 R December 2012 Wound Model Testing of DURAFIBER with various secondary dressings
29 DURAFIBER SMTL report 3303 Wound Dressing Testing
30 Smith & Nephew Report Development Services, Analytical Report Reference DS/10/053/R1, Wound Model Testing of DURFAIBER Ag and Aquacel Ag dressings with various secondary dressings, Dowler A, August 2010.
*In comparison with standard Aquacel dressings, excludes Aquacel Ribbon with strengthening fibre and Aquacel Extra
**In comparison with standard Aquacel Ag dressings, excludes Aquacel Ag Ribbon with strengthening fibre and Aquacel Ag Extra
Aquacel is a trademark of Convatec
TM All trademarks acknowledged
References relate to in vitro testing excluding references 3,5,18,21,24,25,26