FORT SASKATCHEWAN, ALBERTA, CANADA - Dr. Michael E. D. Raymont, President of Westaim Biomedical announced the launch of ActicoatTM Antimicrobial Barrier Dressing for burn wounds at last week’s American Burn Association Meeting in Chicago.
Already accepted by the FDA for use in the U.S., ActicoatTM Antimicrobial Barrier Dressing is a silver-coated dressing that provides the most important advance in over 25 years for preventing burn wound infections. The dressing delivers a sustained release of bactericidal silver that rapidly kills more than 150 pathogens, providing powerful protection over several days. “Silver is already the standard antimicrobial treatment for burns, but current silver-based products have significant deficiencies,” says Dr. Robert Burrell, Director of Science and Technology, adding that “ActicoatTM Antimicrobial Barrier Dressing releases silver without the use of creams that require painful cleaning during frequent dressing changes.”
“The potential for rapidly controlling a broad spectrum of problem pathogens like Pseudomonas, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus, and Candida with ActicoatTM Antimicrobial Barrier Dressing is impressive,” notes Dr. Andrew Munster, Director of the Baltimore Regional Burn Center at the Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. “The efficacy is quite different from what we are used to seeing with current silver-based antimicrobials.”
The dressing’s sustained release of silver reduces the number of dressing changes. In addition, its nonadhesive properties ease removal and reduce patient pain. The greater convenience and ease of use are expected to generate significant savings for hospitals.
“ActicoatTM Antimicrobial Barrier Dressing will be easier on the patient, easier on the nurses, and easier on the budget,” according to Dr. David Heimbach, Director of the Burn Center at the University of Washington.
A randomized prospective outcome study conducted in 1997 by Dr. E. E. Tredget, the Director of the Firefighters Burn Treatment Unit at the University of Alberta Hospital, demonstrated ActicoatTM Antimicrobial Barrier Dressing’s reduced frequency of burn wound sepsis, reduced patient pain, and better ease of use compared to silver nitrate. A similar comparative study versus silver sulfadiazine is currently underway.
“With over 80,000 burn injuries in the U.S. requiring hospitalization each year, our ability to prevent wound infections with greater convenience offers significant value to patients, providers, and health insurers,” says John R. Shaw, Vice President of Sales and Marketing and President of Westaim Biomedical’s U.S. business.
Westaim Biomedical sells a related product, ActicoatTM Silver-Coated Dressing, in Canada. Initial sales began in late 1997.
For more product information, please call (888) 808-8856.
About Westaim Biomedical
Westaim Biomedical is a subsidiary of The Westaim Corporation, a TSE 300 company. The Westaim Corporation is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, The Alberta Stock Exchange and the Montreal Exchange under the trading symbol “WED”.
For further information, please contact:
Tony Johnston, Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs
(403) 234-3103
tjohnsto@westaim.com
www.westaim.com
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