Activheal Alginate Dressings

ActivHeal Alginate is a sterile, highly absorbent sodium calcium alginate wound dressing designed for the management of moderately to heavily exuding acute and chronic wounds.

Made from natural alginate fibres derived from seaweed, the dressing absorbs wound exudate and forms a soft hydrophilic gel on contact with wound fluid. This helps maintain a moist wound-healing environment, supports autolytic debridement and allows the dressing to conform closely to the wound bed.

ActivHeal Alginate also has natural haemostatic properties, helping control minor superficial wound bleeding.

Key features:

• Sodium calcium alginate wound dressing
• Made from natural alginate fibres derived from seaweed
• Suitable for moderately to heavily exuding wounds
• High absorbency
• High wet strength
• Forms a soft hydrophilic gel on contact with wound exudate
• Helps maintain a moist wound-healing environment
• Supports autolytic debridement
• Helps manage slough
• Conforms closely to the wound surface
• Helps encourage granulation
• Naturally haemostatic
• Can assist with minor superficial bleeding
• Suitable as a primary wound dressing
• Requires an appropriate secondary dressing
• Sterile
• Single use
• Medical device

How ActivHeal Alginate works

When ActivHeal Alginate comes into contact with wound exudate:

1. Sodium ions within the wound fluid exchange with calcium ions in the alginate fibres.
2. The dressing absorbs wound exudate.
3. The fibres swell and form a soft hydrophilic gel.
4. The gel conforms closely to the wound bed.
5. A moist environment is maintained to support wound healing and autolytic debridement.
6. The dressing's high wet strength helps it remain intact during removal.

The alginate fibres also release calcium ions as they absorb wound fluid. These can assist platelet activation, helping the dressing control minor wound bleeding.

Suitable wound types

ActivHeal Alginate is indicated for moderately to heavily exuding wounds that are granulating or contain areas of slough, including:

• Pressure ulcers / pressure injuries
• Venous leg ulcers
• Arterial ulcers, following appropriate vascular assessment
• Diabetic ulcers
• Graft wounds
• Donor sites
• Post-operative surgical wounds
• Superficial burns
• Partial-thickness burns
• Wounds with minor superficial bleeding

The underlying cause of chronic wounds should also be appropriately assessed and managed.

For example:

• Venous leg ulcers may require compression therapy
• Diabetic foot ulcers may require pressure off-loading
• Pressure injuries require pressure redistribution
• Arterial wounds require appropriate vascular assessment

How to use

ActivHeal Alginate should be used according to the manufacturer's instructions and the patient's wound-management plan.

1. Cleanse the wound according to appropriate clinical practice.
2. Dry the surrounding skin.
3. Select an appropriately sized dressing.
4. Apply ActivHeal Alginate directly to the wound bed.
5. Ensure good contact between the dressing and wound surface.
6. Cover with an appropriate secondary dressing.
7. Secure according to the wound location and level of exudate.
8. Compression therapy may be applied where clinically appropriate and following suitable vascular assessment.

Secondary dressing

ActivHeal Alginate is used as a primary wound dressing and normally requires a suitable secondary dressing.

The secondary dressing should be selected according to:

• Amount of exudate
• Wound size and location
• Condition of the surrounding skin
• Required fixation
• Overall treatment plan

Highly exuding wounds may require a more absorbent secondary dressing.

Dressing changes

The frequency of dressing changes depends on:

• Wound exudate
• Dressing saturation
• Wound condition
• Secondary dressing capacity
• Clinical assessment

Change the dressing when:

• Its absorption capacity has been reached
• The secondary dressing becomes saturated
• Leakage occurs
• The dressing becomes displaced
• The wound requires reassessment

Heavily exuding wounds may initially require more frequent dressing changes.

Removal

When sufficiently hydrated by wound exudate, ActivHeal Alginate forms a soft gel and can normally be removed gently.

If the dressing has dried or adhered because the wound is producing less exudate:

1. Moisten or irrigate the dressing with sterile normal saline.
2. Allow it to soften.
3. Remove gently.

Do not forcibly remove dried alginate dressing from fragile healing tissue.

Dry wounds

ActivHeal Alginate requires sufficient wound fluid to form its characteristic gel.

It is therefore primarily intended for moderately to heavily exuding wounds and should not normally be used on dry or minimally exuding wounds.

A hydrating wound dressing may be more appropriate where there is insufficient wound moisture.

Minor bleeding

ActivHeal Alginate has natural haemostatic properties and may assist with the control of minor superficial bleeding.

It should not be relied upon for:

• Heavy bleeding
• Persistent bleeding
• Arterial haemorrhage
• Significant or unexplained bleeding

Significant bleeding requires appropriate clinical assessment and haemostatic treatment.

Infection

ActivHeal Alginate is not an antimicrobial dressing.

If wound infection is present or suspected, appropriate clinical assessment and treatment are required.

Signs may include:

• Increasing redness
• Swelling
• Increasing pain
• Heat around the wound
• Purulent exudate
• Offensive odour
• Fever
• Rapid deterioration

The dressing does not replace appropriate antimicrobial or systemic treatment where required.

Important information

Do not:

• Use on dry wounds where there is insufficient exudate
• Use as the sole treatment for significant bleeding
• Reuse
• Re-sterilise
• Use if the sterile packaging is damaged or previously opened
• Use after the expiry date

Product type: Sodium Calcium Alginate Wound Dressing

Material: Natural alginate fibres derived from seaweed

Exudate level: Moderate to heavy

Forms gel with exudate: Yes

Supports autolytic debridement: Yes

Suitable for sloughy wounds: Yes

Haemostatic: Yes – for minor bleeding

Antimicrobial: No

Primary dressing: Yes

Secondary dressing required: Yes

Sterile: Yes

Single use: Yes

Current UK flat dressing sizes and codes

ActivHeal Alginate – 5cm × 5cm

• Pack size: 10 dressings
• Product code: 10007432
• PIP code: 301-6722
• NHS Supply Chain code: ELS139

ActivHeal Alginate – 10cm × 10cm

• Pack size: 10 dressings
• Product code: 10007431
• PIP code: 301-6771
• NHS Supply Chain code: ELS140

ActivHeal Alginate – 10cm × 20cm

• Pack size: 5 dressings
• Product code: 10007430
• PIP code: 301-6789
• NHS Supply Chain code: ELS141

Separate cavity product available: ActivHeal Alginate Rope

Manufacturer: Advanced Medical Solutions Ltd

ActivHeal Alginate should be selected according to wound type, wound-bed condition and exudate level. Chronic, diabetic, arterial, infected, bleeding or otherwise complex wounds should be assessed and monitored by an appropriately trained healthcare professional.

Activheal Catalogue Leaflet