ConvaTec Extends Protection For Surgical Wounds With Launch Of Aquacel Ag Surgical SP Dressing

ConvaTec, a leading global medical technology company, recently announced the U.S. launch of Aquacel Ag Surgical SP dressing, extending the company’s range of Aquacel Ag Surgical cover dressings developed to help reduce surgical site infections.

Aquacel Ag Surgical SP dressing has a thin adhesive layer, to aid conformability for specific types of surgical wounds such as cesarean section and lumbar spine surgery. The new slim profile dressing is also designed to provide the same antimicrobial protection benefits as Aquacel Ag Surgical cover dressings.

Surgical site infections (SSIs) can be devastating to a patient’s health and costly for health care providers. In addition to the burdens of further treatment, under the Affordable Care Act, hospitals in the U.S. with high rates of patient readmissions 30 days post-surgery are subject to reduced reimbursement from Medicare.

“Postoperative wound infection is a leading cause of patient readmission following surgery and a significant issue for both patients and health care providers,” says Bryan D. Springer, MD, Fellowship Director at OrthoCarolina Hip & Knee Center. “Reducing the risk of SSI is a major focus for our facility. Our experience with Aquacel Ag Surgical dressings is that these advanced dressings offer compelling value in terms of patient satisfaction, clinical outcomes and cost.”

“Patients undergoing back, abdominal, and other types of surgeries have unique needs to support their post-operative healing and daily activities such as bathing, changing clothes, and sleeping,” says Fiona Adam, Vice President and General Manager of Advanced Wound Care. “ConvaTec developed Aquacel Ag Surgical SP dressing in response to these specific needs as well as to address the risk of SSIs across a broad range of surgical wounds – in keeping with our commitment to the community of wound care specialists and patients whom we serve and whose lives we touch, every day.”

In previous studies, Aquacel Ag Surgical cover dressings significantly demonstrated the ability to reduce the incidence of post-operative infection and other complications, such as skin blistering, and improve patient satisfaction.