Initial Study Published in Journal of Burn Care & Rehabilitation
EXETER, NEW HAMPSHIRE, U.S.A. - Westaim Biomedical Corp.’s proprietary ActicoatTM silver-coated dressing has proved to be effective, safe and easy to use in treating burn victims. An eight-month study of 30 burn patients, published in the Journal of Burn Care & Rehabilitation, compared the efficacy of ActicoatTM dressing with a standard burn treatment of 0.5% silver nitrate solution. It found that ActicoatTM dressing was effective in preventing infections, controlling bacterial growth and facilitating burn wound care. Patients also found the non-adherent dressing more comfortable to use.
“This clinical study further illustrates what has already been demonstrated in practical application in burn centers across the United States, namely that ActicoatTM dressing is effective in treating burn wounds,” said Dr. Robert E. Burrell, vice-president of Science and Technology at Westaim Biomedical and a contributor to this study. “These results support the claim that ActicoatTM dressing is an excellent barrier to wound infection.”
ActicoatTM dressing was evaluated on the basis of the level of antimicrobial effectiveness, ease of use for the wound-care provider and overall patient comfort. The antimicrobial effectiveness was measured through quantitative biopsies performed before and after treatment. Wound pain was recorded during dressing removal, application and two hours after applications. Ease of use was evaluated by nurse practitioners.
“ActicoatTM dressing represents a fresh approach to treating burns,” said Dr. Michael E. D. Raymont, president of Westaim Biomedical. “In addition to its efficacy in preventing bacterial infection, the proprietary silver-coated dressing helps provide a moist wound healing environment and minimizes the pain associated with dressing care, at an affordable price.”
The data compiled from this study indicated that dressing removal was significantly less painful and the development of primary and secondary infections in burn wounds was less frequent with ActicoatTM dressing than with silver nitrate solution. Silver nitrate solutions require frequent re-applications, and prior applications must be scraped off before a new coat is applied, resulting in significant patient discomfort.
ActicoatTM Antimicrobial Barrier is a unique three-layer wound dressing that uses continuously released ionic silver to protect against infection. This unique barrier makes it a more efficient alternative to other widely used topical antimicrobials for the protection of wounds, including first- and second-degree burns, grafts, donor sites and chronic wounds. In addition, because ActicoatTM dressing can be left on for up to two days, repeated exposure of the wound and potential trauma to it are significantly decreased.
Westaim Biomedical Corp. is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Westaim Corporation. Westaim specializes in launching high-potential technologies into the marketplace. Its other technology businesses include: Westaim Advanced Display Technologies Inc., which is developing a revolutionary low-cost flat panel display; and Surface Engineered Products Corp., which has developed surface engineered technologies and materials for severe applications in the petrochemical industry. It also has three industrial businesses that produce coin blanks, aerospace materials 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 further information, please contact:
At the Company:
Tony Johnston
Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs
(403)234-3103
tjohnsto@westaim.com
www.westaim.com
Media Relations:
Kerry Sweeney
Southard Communications
(212)777-2220 ext. 19
kerry@southardinc.com
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