Acticoat® dressings reduce overall cost of wound care by 36 per cent

EXETER, NEW HAMPSHIRE, U.S.A. - Westaim Biomedical Corp.’s Acticoat® dressings reduce wound care cost by 36 per cent, according to a recent clinical evaluation of wound treatment methods. Led by Dr. Paul Silverstein, Medical Director, Integris Baptist Burn Center in Oklahoma City, the study found that despite the higher cost per dressing, Acticoat® dressings reduced overall wound care costs because fewer dressing changes are required, while the antimicrobial function of the dressing prevented any clinical signs of wound infection.

The study, presented at the American Burn Association’s annual meeting last month, involved 10 patients with partial-thickness burns and compared Acticoat® dressings to conventional silver sulfadiazine dressings. Cost and occurrence of infection were evaluated until wounds healed. Acticoat® dressings were changed every 3 to 4 days, compared to silver sulfadiazine which requires changing much more often. Frequent dressing changes decrease patient comfort and increase the risk of wound bed disturbance and subsequent infection.

“Health care providers are challenged to maintain a high quality of care while keeping costs low,” said Mike Mancini, Marketing Director, Westaim Biomedical. “Acticoat® dressings provide outstanding anti-microbial coverage, maintain an optimal healing environment and require fewer dressing changes, thereby improving wound care practice while reducing the overall cost.”

Layered with nanocrystalline silver, the Acticoat® dressings ensure a sustained release of silver, which has long been recognized for its antibacterial and antifungal properties. As silver ions are consumed, additional silver is released from the dressing to produce a long-lasting, effective antimicrobial barrier against approximately 150 organisms that can impede wound healing.

Currently used in more than 60 burn centers across North America, Acticoat® dressings have been used on over 1,500 patients in the past year. As well as burns, the dressing can be used on graft and donor sites, chronic wounds (including pressure ulcers, diabetic ulcers, etc.) and post-surgical wounds.

The Westaim Corporation specializes in launching high-potential technologies into the marketplace. In addition to Westaim Biomedical, its other technology businesses include: Surface Engineered Products Corp., which has developed surface engineering technologies and materials for severe applications in the petrochemical industry, and Westaim Advanced Display Technologies Inc., which is developing a revolutionary low-cost flat panel display. Westaim also operates three industrial businesses that produce aerospace materials, coin blanks and chemical products. A TSE 300 company, Westaim’s common shares are listed on The Toronto Stock Exchange, The Alberta Stock Exchange and The Montreal Exchange under the trading symbol WED.


For more information, please contact:

Tony Johnston
Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs
(403) 234-3103
tjohnsto@westaim.com
www.westaim.com


For copies of the study, please contact:

Catherine Shepherd
Media Profile
(416) 504-8464