3M Steri-Strip Antimicrobial Adhesive Skin Closure Strip

Why choose Antimicrobial Steri-Strip Wound Closure?

• Reduces infection risk: Iodophor adhesive provides broad spectrum activity against the most common pathogens causing SSIs (Reference on file)
• Helps improve cosmetic outcomes: Non-invasive, sterile design helps reduce scarring and the risk of infection, compared to sutures and staples, with less tissue trauma and better cosmetic outcomes. (Reference on file)
• Stays in place: Excellent long-term adhesion, to ensure wounds stay closed while healing.
• Easy on patients: Comfortable to wear
• Hypoallergenic adhesive skin closure strip
• Easy to apply: Fast application

When to use Steri-Strip?

• Ideal for use where additional antimicrobial activity is desired or for wound support following early suture or staple removal
• For use in: emergency department, operating room, clinics and physician's offices, and same day surgery centers

3M Steri-Strip User Manual
Steri-Strip FAQ's
 

What to buy with 3M Steri-Strip Antimicrobial Skin Closure Strip

• 3M Precise Disposable Scissors Style Skin Staple Remover
• 3M Wound Cleanser
• 3M Kind Removal Silicone Tape
• 3M Coban Self-Adherent Wrap - Sterile

How to use 3M Adhesive Skin Closures?

How to apply 3M Steri-Strip Skin Closure?

1. Clean and dry skin at least two inches around wound. If enhanced strip adhesion is desired, a thin layer of Steri-Strip Compound Benzoin Tincture (CBT) may be applied on skin up to the wound edge. If distention or movement is anticipated, consider using this elastic skin closures
2. Peel back package tabs to access the sterile Steri-Strip closures. Remove card, using sterile precautions as necessary. Bend card at end perforation and gently remove the tab.
3. Grasp end of skin closure with forceps or gloved hand; lift straight upward (90 degree angle). Skin closures lifted at a lesser angle or directly back on themselves may “curl,” complicating handling.
4. Wound closure generally starts at the middle of the wound. Steri-Strip must be applied without tension. Do not stretch or “strap” skin closures. Apply one-half of first skin closure to the wound margin and press firmly in place.
5. Using fingers or forceps, appose skin edges as closely as possible. Press free half of Steri-Strip closure firmly on the other side of the wound.
6. The rest of the wound should be closed with additional Steri-Strip closures spaced approximately 1/8 inch (3mm) apart by: (a) sequentially bisecting remaining length of wound with Steri-Strip closures or (b) applying skin closures 1/8 inch apart until edges are completely approximated. If edges are not accurately apposed, remove the closures over affected area (peeling each side towards wound) and reapproximate wound.
7. Additional Steri-Strip closures may be applied parallel to wound, approximately 1/2 inch in from ends (cross stays, railroad tracks). This may reduce stress beneath the ends of closures decreasing risk of skin tension blisters and premature lifting of skin closures.

How to remove Steri-Strip Antimicrobial Strip?

1. Remove cross stays. Gently grasp and loosen ends of 3M Steri-Strip closure.
2. Stabilize the skin with one finger. Remove skin closure “low and slow” towards wound, keeping it close to skin surface and pulled back over itself. Removing the skin closure at an angle will pull at the epidermis increasing risk of mechanical trauma.
3. As the skin closure is removed, continue moving finger as necessary, supporting newly exposed skin. When both sides of the Steri-Strip closure are completely loosened, lift strip up from center of wound.

Stri-Strip Adhesive Strip FAQ's

Q: Do Steri-Strip Antimicrobial skin closures contain fiberglass?
A: No. Steri-Strips skin closures have never contained fiberglass. The reinforcing filaments in the reinforced Steri-Strip skin closures and Steri-Strip Antimicrobial skin closures are made of polyester.

Q: Are Steri-Strip Antimicrobial skin closures hypoallergenic?
A: No. The Steri-Strip Skin Antimicrobial skin closures contain an iodophor compound, so they are not recommended for use on patients with known sensitivity to iodine.

Q: What is the shelf life of Steri-Strip Antimicrobial skin closures?
A: 2 years. The expiration date may be found on the top of each Steri-Strip skin closure package. Without breaking the seal, fold the rear package flap back. Holding the package up to the light, you will note: LOT, hourglass, year, 1-2 numbers, several letters The hourglass symbol represents the expiration date. 2004-10 would indicate that the product will expire in October of 2004.

Q: Are Steri-Strip Antimicrobial skin closures sterile? Can Steri-Strip Antimicrobial skin closures be resterilized?
A: Steri-Strip Antimicrobial skin closures are sold sterile. They may NOT be resterilized with ethylene oxide.

Contraindications:

• Steri-Strip Antimicrobial Skin Closures are not recommended for use on patients with known sensitivity to iodine
• Steri-Strip skin closures are contraindicated where adhesion cannot be obtained. Potential causes of inadequate adhesion are presence of exudate, skin oils, moisture, or hair
• Use of Steri-Strip skin closures on infected wounds is contraindicated
• Steri-Strip skin closures are contraindicated for use in high tension wounds which cannot be easily approximated with fingers or forceps.
   

Warnings:

• The development of postoperative edema may cause skin shearing, skin blistering, or loss of tape adhesion to occur at either end of the strip
• Application of any surgical tape or adhesive skin closure may result in skin stripping upon removal 
• As with all adhesive products applied to the skin, a small percentage of individuals may experience hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation following removal
• Occasional cases of mild acne and folliculitis have been observed in testing on healthy volunteers
   

Precautions:

• The skin should be clean, dry, and free of skin oils to assure good adhesion
• Do not apply skin closures under tension. Skin shearing, skin blistering, or loss of adhesion may result if excessive tension is applied