New System Allows Wound Checks Without Dressing Removal

In the United Kingdom, bioengineers at the Strathclyde Institute for Medical Devices, Glasgow, Scotland, have developed a new system that allows doctors and nurses to check the conditions under a dressing without having to remove it. A tiny sensor is attached to the gauze monitors to detect whether the wound is moist—the optimum environment for healing—or too dry or wet to heal properly. About half the size of a first class stamp, the sensor is attached via a sterile pad to the dressing itself, thus avoiding pain to the patient. It is connected to wires that can be plugged in to the monitor to allow doctors or nurses to take a reading.

The system is currently under clinical trial on patients with chronic leg ulcers with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. It is anticipated it could be used for any kind of chronic or acute wound, including burns, chronic surgical wounds, and pressure ulcers.

Obesity Can Reduce Risk of Developing Pressure Ulcers

In a recent study published in the Journal of Gerontology: Medical Science, researchers suggest that obesity reduces the risk of developing pressure ulcers in hospitalized older adults. A total of 3214 patients admitted to 2 Philadelphia, PA, hospitals between 1998 and 2001 were assessed for risk factors for pressure ulcers. The goal of the investigation was to evaluate the chances of developing a pressure ulcer in both underweight and obese patients, relative to optimal weight patients. Patients enrolled in the study who were underweight demonstrated greater odds of developing a pressure ulcer (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2-2.6). Study participants who were obese had reduced odds (adjusted OR = 0.7; 95% CI, 0.4-1.0), and those with severe obesity had the lowest odds of developing a pressure ulcer (adjusted OR = 0.1; 95% CI, 0.01-0.6). The investigators concluded that extra body fat lowers the risk of pressure ulcers in hospitalized older adults.

Source: Compher C, Kinosian BP, Ratcliffe SJ, Baumgarten M. Obesity Reduces the Risk of Pressure Ulcers in Elderly Hospitalized Patients. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2007;62(11):1310-2.

Monitor Helps Measure Bandage Pressure

Ulsys, Halifax, UK, launched the Vowden Trainer, a cutting-edge pressure monitor designed to increase the accuracy of leg ulcer treatment, at Medica 2007, which was held recently in Germany. The Vowden Trainer works by accurately measuring the application of pressure under a bandage applied over a leg ulcer, indicating exactly how much pressure the bandage is generating in order to help health care professionals apply the correct pressure without having to estimate. This eliminates inconsistent pressure application, allows for greater accuracy in treatment, and saves working time.

Hospitals Join Fight Against SSIs

Hospitals across the country are exploring the use of preoperative antiseptic skin cleansing or skin prepping to prevent or reduce the incidence of surgical site infections (SSIs). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, SSIs are the leading hospital-acquired infection (38%) in surgical patients and the third most common in hospitalized patients. At Prince William Hospital in Manassas, VA, clinicians saw reduced incidence of SSIs, an estimated cost savings of more than $100,000, and a 75% decrease in SSI-related readmissions after 6 months of implementing a preoperative skin cleansing protocol. Lakeview Hospital in Stillwater, MN, improved its preoperative skin preparation protocol by implementing a new product, leading to a 50% reduction in SSI rates in patients undergoing joint procedures. And VA Central Iowa Health Care System in Des Moines, Iowa, saw improvement after implementing a new preoperative skin preparation product, educating patients about appropriate skin antisepsis, and increasing compliance with preoperative skin antisepsis.

Product Conversion Made Easier

Novation, the leading health care contracting services company, offers its Wound Drainage Program, which can help hospitals convert wound drainage products to reduce costs, meet clinical acceptability, and consolidate items. Novation aids hospitals in implementing a strategic process to provide clinicians with feedback opportunities before a conversion decision is made, ensuring that items are accurately identified and cross-referenced, establishing a product evaluation process, and collecting feedback on the clinical acceptability of the new products and reduced costs.

Swiss-American Develops Program to Help Fuel Tempur-Pedic Sales

Swiss-American Products, Inc, Dallas TX, introduces the Complete Program as part of its relationship with Tempur-Pedic Medical. The Complete Program gives support to qualified direct medical suppliers of Tempur-Pedic Medical products and is designed to entice customers to retail stores and increase institutional sales. The program offers special promotions and pricing to members and is committed to helping members fund advertising of Tempur-Pedic Medical products, including co-op opportunities, ad creation, available ads for newspapers, and direct mail components such as mailing lists and letter shop services. It also offers local and regional sales leads from Swiss-American’s clinical customers, access to a full library of studies, and training in a variety of areas, including sales tactics and product features.

Injectable Antibiotic Gets FDA Approval Letter

Theravance, San Francisco, CA, received a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval letter for televancin, a novel bactericidal, once-daily injectable antibiotic for the treatment of complicated skin and skin structure infections caused by gram-positive bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The approval level indicates that televancin’s application is approvable subject to the resolution of current good manufacturing practices compliance issues and submission of revised labeling or reanalyses of clinical data or additional clinical data. In November 2005, Theravance entered into a collaboration with Astellas Pharma, Inc, Deerfield, IL, for the worldwide development and commercialization of televancin, excluding Japan. In July 2006, the collaboration was expanded to include Japan.

Smith & Nephew Introduces Pressure Ulcer Management Program

To help facilities manage the risk and high cost of pressure ulcers and infected wounds, Smith & Nephew, Largo, FL, has developed an approach called BRIDGES. The program is designed to improve assessment of high-risk patients, standardize practice protocols, develop customized core formularies, drive proper product selection and utilization, improve protocol compliance, and track sustainable, repeatable results.

As of October 2008, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will no longer reimburse hospitals for the treatment of 8 hospital-acquired conditions, including pressure ulcers and various types of infection. This action makes implementing a pressure ulcer prevention program especially important at many facilities where nonwound care experts are managing the prevention and treatment of wounds. This can lead to significant variations in treatment, product use, and outcomes.

The BRIDGES program was implemented at the University Medical Center in Lubbock, TX, to reduce the incidence of pressure ulcers. After 1 year, the hospital-wide (excluding the intensive care unit) incidence of pressure ulcers was reduced from 15% to 0%. Wound care product costs were reduced by $63,713. The number of days requiring negative pressure wound therapy was also reduced, resulting in a savings of $17,068. The company’s goal through this program is to help customers reduce risk, improve utilization, and maximize clinical and economic outcomes.

Medline Unveils New Packaging for Silvasorb

Medline Industries, Inc, Mundelein, IL, introduces innovative packaging for its line of SilvaSorb wound care dressings, designed to increase user safety. The new packaging, including an outer box and inner pouch, provides clear, concise instructions on the proper use of the product, along with a pamphlet that offers a 2-minute tutorial on important wound care guidelines. Packaging for each family of wound care products is color-coded and the inner pouch includes a crack-and-peel sticker for dressing change and charting.

American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes Partner to Deliver Holiday Cards to Wounded Service Members

WASHINGTON, Tuesday, December 18, 2007 — America’s wounded service members are always grateful for supportive cards and notes––especially during the holiday season.This holiday season, communities across America are invited to mail cards along with personal messages of support to wounded service members at military hospitals around the country, through a unique partnership between the American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes Inc.

With the support of the U.S. Department of Defense and Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and with help from Pitney Bowes Government Solutions, the American Red Cross will collect, review and distribute holiday greeting cards to wounded military personnel. For security reasons, the Red Cross will be able to accept only holiday cards but not packages. Red Cross volunteers will receive and bundle the cards, which will be shipped by Pitney Bowes Government Solutions. Then, Red Cross volunteers at the medical facilities will distribute the cards throughout the holiday season.

“So many Americans want to show their support and gratitude by reaching out to wounded service members at Walter Reed and other military medical centers during the holiday season,” said Neal Denton, American Red Cross Senior Vice President for Service to the Armed Forces. “With the support of the Department of Defense, Walter Reed leadership and Pitney Bowes, we can bring a little cheer to these brave men and women,” added Denton.

“It is an honor to provide this small measure of comfort at holiday time to those who have sacrificed so much,” said Pitney Bowes President and CEO Murray Martin. “We want to make it as easy as possible for all Americans to show their appreciation to the men and women who serve this nation so proudly and selflessly.”

Please address your holiday cards to:

We Support You During Your Recovery!
c/o American Red Cross
P.O. Box 419
Savage, MD20763-0419

Be sure to affix adequate postage when mailing to the Red Cross. Multiple cards without envelopes may be placed in one mailing envelope or a box that includes a return address. Please mail your holiday cards so that they are postmarked no later than December 24. Holiday cards must be received no later than December 27. Cards received after this date will be returned to the sender. Again, senders are reminded that “care packages” are not part of the program––send only cards and notes. Also, please refrain from using glitter or any other inserts that would not be appropriate in a hospital environment.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Last year, almost a million volunteers and 35,000 employees helped victims of almost 75,000 disasters; taught lifesaving skills to millions; and helped U.S. service members separated from their families stay connected. Almost 4 million people gave blood through the Red Cross, the largest supplier of blood and blood products in the United States. The American Red Cross is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. An average of 91 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, money, and blood to do its work.

About Pitney Bowes

Pitney Bowes (NYSE:PBI) is a mailstream technology company that helps organizations manage the flow of information, mail, documents and packages. Our 35,000 employees deliver technology, service and innovation to more than two million customers worldwide. The company was founded in 1920 and annual revenues now total $6 billion. More information is available at www.pb.com.