Silver
Silver is a broad spectrum antimicrobial that is effective against a wide range of micro organisms including MRSA.
AMS utilizes different silver technologies to provide wound dressings that help to prevent infection. Products have been launched in both the USA and Europe.
| Growth of micro-organisms (stained green) is not inhibited by normal alginate dressing. |
Silver alginate dressing kills micro-organisms and creates zone of inhibition. |
There is no growth underneath the dressing. |
Introduction
The use of silver as an antimicrobial agent in woundcare has an extensive history of accepted use. It is a broad spectrum anti-microbial that is non-cytotoxic at bactericidal levels, and is effective against antibiotic resistant bacteria; indeed bacterial resistance to silver is rare and acquired resistance even more so, and localised.
Mode of Action
Effective Against
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus(MRSA)
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Epidermidis (MRSE
- Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE)
-
Escherichia Coli
|
-
Staphylococcus Aureus
-
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa
-
Candida Albicans
|
Product Description
The primary silver alginate product from Advanced Medical Solutions is in fact a silver-containing calcium alginate dressing/carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) blend (patented) which offers the normal claims of a predominantly calcium alginate dressing (Table 1) with additional, antimicrobial, claims resulting from the ionic silver that it contains (Table 2)
Table 1: Claims for a Calcium Alginate Dressing
| Feature |
Benefit |
Manages higher levels of exudate (Absorbency)
than alginate-only or CMC dressings |
Longer wear time |
Manages higher levels of exudate (Absorbency)
than alginate-only or CMC dressings |
Reduces the risk of maceration |
| Maintains a moist wound healing environment |
Faster wound healing
Reduced scarring |
| Non-adherent |
Less trauma on removal |
| Donates calcium to the wound |
Helps to stop minor bleeding |
| High wet strength |
One piece removal
Minimal residues in the wound bed |
| Retains exudate |
Reduced risk of maceration |
Table 2: Additional Antimicrobial Claims
| Feature |
Benefit |
| Sustained antimicrobial protection |
Reduced risk of infection
Longer wear time |
| Broad spectrum antimicrobial action |
Effective against a wide range of microorganisms
Effective against antibiotic-resistant bacteria |
| Reduces bio-burden in the wound site |
Reduced risk of infection |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Published : 06/10/2009 13:52:47