ACTICOAT Dressings use silver technology to create an effective barrier to bacterial penetration and optimal wound environment. The barrier function of the dressing may help reduce infection in partial and full-thickness wounds. The sustained release of silver also means fewer dressing changes, resulting in less exposure of the wound bed to the environment reducing the risk of infection
ACTICOATs antimicrobial technology is able to produce silver-coated polyethylene films that can release an effective concentration of silver over several days. As silver ions are consumed, additional silver is released from the dressing to provide an effective antimicrobial barrier. This patented silver-based antimicrobial technology can be applied to a wide range of medical devices including wound dressings.
Laboratory studies show that ACTICOAT dressing kills micro-organisms faster than conventional products such as silver sulfadiazine (1 percent cream) or silver nitrate (0.5%) solution. It has also been shown in-vitro to provide protection against more than 150 pathogens. The pathogens tested in the lab include resistant strains of bacteria such as antibiotic-resistant strains of Pseudomonas, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus and fungi. These pathogens have been known to infect many patients with already weakened immune systems. Infections contracted during hospitalization caused by these so-called superbugs and other organisms cost North American taxpayers an estimated $18 billion a year in additional hospital care.