Pressure Ulcers
About Pressure Ulcers
KCI designs and manufactures a comprehensive range of products for the management and prevention of pressure ulcers. A pressure ulcer, or bed sore, is a localized injury to the skin and/or underlying tissue, usually over a bony prominence. It can result from pressure alone or in combination with shear or friction. Fortunately, pressure ulcers are avoidable and can be prevented1.
Our solutions are built on a deep understanding of wound healing and pressure ulcer prevention, supported by a large body of clinical evidence.
The Science Behind Our Products
Our solutions are built on deep scientific expertise, supported by a large body of clinical evidence.
Approximately 412,000 patients develop a new pressure ulcer each year in the UK1. In 2004 the estimated annual cost of pressure ulcer care in the UK was between £1.4 billion and £2.1 billion a year (4% of total NHS expenditure), with most of this cost being attributed to nursing time2. The mean cost per patient of treatment varies from £1,064 (Grade 1 pressure ulcer) to £10,551 (Grade 4)2.
Because each wound is different, KCI offers a comprehensive range of solutions to address specific healing needs and care environments. Prevention and timely intervention can lessen or the occurrence, severity and help treat pressure ulcers.
V.A.C.® Therapy
KCI provides a wide range of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy systems for hospital, community or home treatment. Since its launch in 1995, V.A.C.® Therapy has changed the way wounds are managed. Backed by more published clinical evidence than any other Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Systems, V.A.C.® Therapy has become the clinicians' treatment of choice for more than 10 million wounds worldwide.* V.A.C.® Therapy creates an environment that promotes wound healing through the application of negative (vacuum) pressure at the wound site. This helps draw wound edges together, remove infectious materials and promote granulation tissue formation.
Pressure Ulcer Prevention
A pressure ulcer can occur at the point where the skin is in constant contact with a surface such as a patient’s bed or medical device for example oxygen mask, or with another part of the body, for example where the knees or ankles rest together. The high pressure that builds up can disrupt the flow of blood and oxygen, causing the skin to breakdown. KERRAPRO™ Pressure Reducing Pads effectively redistribute this pressure, dissipating it over the pad to protect the skin from pressure ulcers*.
Made from 100% silicone, KERRAPRO™ Pad is available in a range of shapes and thicknesses, including heel, sacrum, sheets and strips for a variety of applications.
*KCI.CHCR026-Pressure testing of Kerrapro using electronic pressure transference apparatus. May 2014.
Advanced Wound Dressings
Advanced Wound Dressings
Every wound is different. That’s why KCI provides a comprehensive range of advanced wound dressings to help address each wound’s specific needs. Our product portfolio is the result of over 80 years experience developing innovative solutions to help you manage wounds towards healing.
A number of our advanced wound dressings offer antimicrobial benefits. KERRACONTACT™ Ag Dressing with Oxysalts Technology has a unique mode of action which starts to kill 99.999% of bacteria in just 30 minutes3. SILVERCEL™ NON-ADHERENT Hydro-Alginate Antimicrobial Dressing with Silver and PROMOGRAN PRISMA™ Wound Balancing Matrix work effectively to help infected wounds. Our other advanced wound dressing ADAPTIC TOUCH™ Non-Adhering Silicone Dressing serves as a gentle silicone wound contact layer.
KERRACEL™ Gelling Fiber Dressing is a 100% carboxmethyl cellulose primary dressing which forms a soothing gel when wet to help maintain a moist healing environment. KERRACEL™ Dressing Ribbon has been designed for cavity wounds, including pressure ulcers. KERRACEL™ Dressing has a high absorbency and retains its integrity when removed from the wound/cavity, in-vitro tests carried out to analyse
KERRACEL™ Dressing4.
Both the KERRAFOAM™ Dressing Family and TIELLE™ Hydropolymer Foam Dressings have been designed to effectively manage moderate levels of exudate. KERRAFOAM™ Gentle Border Foam Dressing has a gentle silicone border to protect delicate skin surrounding a pressure ulcer and is available in a range of shapes and sizes, including heel and sacrum. TIELLE™ Plus Dressing has a secure polyurethane adhesive border, to ensure the dressing stays in place, even in difficult to dress areas like the sacrum.
KERRAMAX CARE™ Super-Absorbent Dressing’s horizontal wicking action absorbs potentially unhealthy exudate and locks it inside the dressing, so it doesn’t leak or drip5
An in-vitro comparison of MRSA and P.aeruginosa sequestration by 5 super-absorbent wound dressings. The absorption capacity reduces dressing changes with less wound disturbance and improves patient comfort6.
4. Crawford Healthcare. CHC R189. In vitro tests to analyse KERRACEL™ Dressing. 2014.
5.Westgate, T. et. al. An in vitro comparison of MRSA and P.aeruginosa sequestration by 5 super-absorbent wound dressings. Perfectus Biomed. European Wound Management Association Poster Presentation; 2016.
Clinician Resources
