What is calcium alginate dressing used for?
Alginate dressings are indicated for use as a primary dressing in the treatment of moderately to heavily exuding partial- and full-thickness draining wounds such as stage III-IV pressure ulcers, dermal wounds, surgical incisions, dehisced wounds, tunneling wounds, sinus tracts, and donor sites.
Do you need a prescription for calcium alginate dressing?
Calcium Alginate is a generic, non-prescription wound dressing that is usually not available for sale to general consumers.
How long does calcium alginate stay on a wound?
In clean wounds, they may be kept in place up to 7 days or until the gel loses its viscosity. For infected wounds, alginate dressings should be changed once daily.
Does calcium alginate debride wounds?
Alginate dressings can be found in sheet or rope form. The dressings uniquely gel as they come in contact with wound exudate to provide a moist wound environment that facilitates autolytic debridement.
How often should calcium alginate be changed?
Typically alginate dressings are changed every 1-3 days, however the dressing may be left in place for up to 7 days depending on the condition of the wound. Dressing change frequency will depend on wound characteristics and the amount of drainage. Alginate dressings may be left in the wound until saturated.
How do you remove calcium alginate dressing?
When removing the alginate dressing, use saline to dampen it first and avoid damage to the (the wound bed/granulation tissue) If the dressing sticks to the wound, use saline irrigation to rinse.
How do you remove slough from a wound bed?
Wound irrigation, the use of cleansing solutions or a cleansing pad (e.g. Debrisoft®; Activa Healthcare), or the use of dressings – such as hydrogel sheets, honey or iodine cadexomers – can be used to remove slough by clinicians with minimal training.
What are calcium alginate dressings?
This natural gel helps to speed up the healing of the wound in promoting the wound’s autolytic debridement, while also absorbing excess fluid. Vitality Medical carries a wide selection of Calcium Alginate Dressings at some of the best prices around.
What is the function of calcium in wound dressing?
The calcium in the dressing interacts with sodium in the wound, providing a wound exudate that stimulates myofibroblasts and epithelial cells and speeds wound homeostasis.53 The calcium also modulates epithelial cell proliferation and migration. Alginate dressings come in nonwoven pads and rope dressings.
What is the best alginate dressing for open wounds?
Calcium alginate dressings (e.g. Curasorb, Kendall Products) are most useful in heavily exudative wounds where they promote formation of granulation tissue. Therefore, after development of a healthy granulation bed, alginate dressings should not be used, as they can stimulate the development of proud flesh.
What is the appropriate level of wound care for calcium alginate?
Calcium alginate is appropriate for Stage III and Stage IV wounds with moderate to heavy drainage. DISCLAIMER: The information provided here is intended to educate health care providers regarding compliance for ICD, CPT, and HCPCS coding.