Derma Sciences Medihoney Calcium Alginate Dressing

Benefits of Non-Adhesive Calcium Alginate Dressing

• Easy to apply and use
• Medihoney dressing is ideal for use on chronic or acute wounds due to unique characteristics of Leptospermum honey
• Calcium Alginate Dressing can be used in all stages of wound healing due to versatility and lack of toxicity
• Cleanses and debrides due to its high osmolarity
• Lowers the wound pH, for an optimal wound healing environment
• Medihoney has been used successfully along with other advanced wound care modalities, including being used before, during, and after negative pressure applications
• Used as cover dressings for skin grafts and skin substitutes
• Single use only
• Provides wound fluid absorption capabilities and honey is released continuously to wound bed.

How does Medihoney Calcium Alginate work?

The honey is impregnated into a calcium alginate dressing. As wound fluid enters the dressing, the honey is released while the dressing absorbs and forms a gel, creating an optimal honey healing environment. Medihoney is one of the global leader of medical grade honey products for the management of wounds and burns.

When to use Medihoney Alginate Dressing?

Medihoney Wound Dressing is indicated for the management of wounds such as:

• Diabetic foot ulcers
• Leg ulcers of mixed etiology
• Arterial leg ulcers
• Pressure ulcers
• Venous stasis leg ulcers
• 1st and 2nd degree partial thickness burns
• Donor sites traumatic and surgical wounds

Contraindications:

• On third degree burns 
• With patients that have a known sensitivity to honey or any other component present in Calcium Alginate dressing
• To control heavy bleeding

What is Active Leptospermum Honey?

• Active Leptospermum Honey is the most studied species of honey for the management of wounds and burns
• It is derived from the pollen and nectar of specific Leptospermum species of plant in New Zealand
• It's property of maintaining effectiveness in presence of wound fluid make this unique among all type of honey
• The only species of honey that has been shown in randomized controlled studies to help wounds, that have stalled under first-line treatment, to progress towards healing

What to Buy with Medihoney Alginate Dressing?

• Covidien Sterile Saline Water
• Derma Dusoft Non-Woven Sterile Dressing Sponges
• Derma DermaSeptin Soothing Barrier Skin Protectant Cream
• Derma Xtrasorb Classic Non-Adhesive Super Absorbent Dressing

How to Use Medihoney Bandages?

1. Wash hands thoroughly
2. Apply gloves
3. Assess the wound
   • Look for signs of healing
   • Look for any signs of increased redness, pain, swelling, or heat within or around the wound
4. Cleanse the wound and skin around the wound with sterile saline, sterile water, or other safe wound cleansers
5. Dry the skin around the wound by patting gently with gauze
6. Protect the skin around the wound to avoid maceration
7. Apply a skin protectant barrier wipe or barrier ointment. (An initial increase in exudates may occur as a result of the highly osmotic effect of Medihoney)
8. Medihoney Calcium Alginate dressing for moderate to heavy exudates
9. Apply the appropriate Medihoney dressing to fit the wound
10. It can be cut to fit within the wound edges
11. Apply an absorbent cover dressing (Xtrasorb super absorbent dressings are recommended due to the highly osmotic effect of Medihoney)

How to change Medi honey Dressing?

• Remove the dressing gently
• If the medihoney bandages is difficult to remove, moisten with saline or water
• Discard the old dressing in a disposal bag

When to change Medihoney Dressing For Wounds?

• Dressing change frequency will depend on the condition of the patient as well as the level of wound exudate.
• Reapply when Medihoney Calcium Alginate Dressing with active leptospermum honey or the secondary dressing has reached its absorbent capacity or as directed by a wound care professional.

Precautions to take while using Medihoney Wound Dressing

• If the Medihoney Wound dressing is not easily removed, soak with sterile saline or water until it is removed without difficulty.
• Due to the Medihoney Alginate low pH, some patients may notice a slight transient stinging. If stinging does not stop or persists and cannot be managed with an analgesic, remove the dressing, cleanse area, and discontinue the use of Medihoney dressing
• During initial use of the dressing (depending on wound exudate levels, interstitial fluid, and edema surrounding the wound), the dressings high osmotic potential may contribute to increased exudate, which could lead to maceration if the excess moisture is not managed appropriately. Manage additional moisture by adding an absorptive cover dressing and/or adjusting the frequency of dressing change. Protect the peri-wound skin by applying a skin barrier protectant to the surrounding skin.
• During the healing process, it is common for non-viable tissue to be removed from the wound resulting in an initial increase in wound size. Although an initial increase in wound size may be attributed to the normal removal of non-viable tissue, consult a healthcare professional if the wound continues to grow larger after the first few dressing changes.