Biatain Alginate Dressings

Biatain Alginate is a sterile, highly absorbent alginate and carboxymethylcellulose wound dressing designed for the management of moderately to heavily exuding partial- and full-thickness wounds.

The dressing contains approximately 85% alginate and 15% carboxymethylcellulose (CMC). On contact with wound exudate, it absorbs fluid and converts into a soft, cohesive gel that conforms closely to the wound bed. This helps maintain a moist wound-healing environment, retain exudate within the dressing and support autolytic debridement.

Biatain Alginate also has a documented haemostatic effect, helping support the control of minor superficial wound bleeding.

Key features:

• Highly absorbent alginate wound dressing
• Approximately 85% alginate and 15% CMC
• Suitable for moderately to heavily exuding wounds
• Forms a soft cohesive gel on contact with exudate
• Helps maintain a moist wound-healing environment
• Supports autolytic debridement
• Helps manage slough
• Locks wound exudate within the gel
• Helps reduce leakage and periwound maceration
• High dressing integrity
• Designed for removal substantially in one piece
• Can be cut to shape
• Suitable for wounds of different sizes, shapes and depths
• Suitable for cavity filling
• Documented haemostatic effect
• May assist with minor superficial bleeding
• Suitable for use under compression therapy where clinically indicated
• Maximum wear time up to 7 days, depending on exudate and wound condition
• Sterile
• Single use
• Medical device

How Biatain Alginate works

When Biatain Alginate comes into contact with wound exudate:

1. The dressing absorbs wound fluid.
2. The alginate and CMC fibres swell.
3. The dressing converts into a soft, cohesive gel.
4. Exudate is retained within the gel.
5. The dressing conforms closely to the wound bed.
6. The moist environment supports natural wound-healing processes and autolytic debridement.
7. The dressing maintains sufficient integrity to facilitate removal.

The gel formation also helps reduce lateral leakage of wound fluid towards the surrounding skin.

Suitable wound types

Biatain Alginate can be used for moderately to heavily exuding partial- and full-thickness wounds including:

• Venous leg ulcers
• Other leg ulcers
• Arterial ulcers, following appropriate vascular assessment
• Diabetic foot ulcers
• Pressure ulcers / pressure injuries
• Donor sites
• Traumatic wounds
• Sloughy wounds
• Second-degree burns
• Appropriate cavity wounds
• Wounds with minor superficial bleeding

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

For example:

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

How to use

Biatain Alginate should be used according to the manufacturer's Instructions for Use and the patient's wound-management plan.

1. Assess and cleanse the wound according to appropriate clinical practice.
2. Dry the surrounding skin.
3. Select an appropriately sized Biatain Alginate dressing.
4. If necessary, cut the dressing to fit the wound.
5. Apply the dressing directly to the wound bed.
6. Ensure appropriate contact with the wound surface.
7. Cover with an appropriate secondary dressing.
8. Secure according to wound location and level of exudate.
9. Compression therapy may be applied where clinically indicated.

Cavity wounds

Biatain Alginate is particularly suitable for appropriate cavity wounds because of its conformability and structural integrity.

A dedicated 3cm × 44cm filler presentation is available.

When filling a cavity:

• Place the dressing loosely into the wound
• Do not tightly over-pack
• Allow space for the dressing to expand as it absorbs exudate
• Leave sufficient dressing accessible to facilitate complete removal

At every dressing change, ensure all dressing material has been removed.

Secondary dressing

Biatain Alginate is used as a primary wound dressing and normally requires an appropriate secondary dressing.

The secondary dressing should be selected according to:

• Exudate level
• Wound depth
• Wound location
• Condition of the surrounding skin
• Need for fixation
• Whether compression therapy is being used

Dressing changes

Biatain Alginate may remain in place for up to:

7 days

depending on:

• Wound condition
• Exudate level
• Dressing saturation
• Secondary dressing
• Clinical judgement

Change sooner if:

• The dressing reaches its absorption capacity
• Leakage occurs
• The secondary dressing becomes saturated
• The dressing becomes displaced
• The wound requires reassessment
• Infection or deterioration is suspected

Highly exuding wounds may require more frequent dressing changes.

Removal

Once hydrated, Biatain Alginate forms a cohesive gel and is designed for straightforward removal with good dressing integrity.

If the dressing has dried or adhered because exudate levels have fallen:

1. Moisten the dressing with sterile saline.
2. Allow the dressing to soften.
3. Remove gently.

Do not forcibly remove dry dressing material from fragile healing tissue.

Minor bleeding

Biatain Alginate has a documented haemostatic effect due to the calcium ions released from the alginate dressing.

It may therefore assist with the control of:

• Minor superficial bleeding
• Minor bleeding following wound cleansing or debridement

It should not be used to control heavy or uncontrolled bleeding.

Significant bleeding requires appropriate clinical assessment and haemostatic treatment.

Dry and lightly exuding wounds

Biatain Alginate should not be used on dry or lightly exuding wounds.

The dressing requires sufficient wound moisture to form its characteristic gel.

A different wound dressing may be more appropriate where there is little or no exudate.

Infection

Standard Biatain Alginate is not an antimicrobial dressing.

If infection is present or suspected, the wound should be appropriately assessed and treated.

Signs may include:

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

Where an antimicrobial alginate dressing is clinically indicated, Biatain Alginate Ag is a separate silver-containing product.

Important information

Do not use Biatain Alginate:

• On dry or lightly exuding wounds
• To control heavy bleeding
• In patients with known hypersensitivity to the dressing or its components

Do not:

• Tightly pack cavity wounds
• Reuse
• Re-sterilise
• Use if the sterile packaging is damaged or previously opened
• Use after the expiry date

Product type: Alginate / CMC Wound Dressing

Composition: Approximately 85% alginate and 15% carboxymethylcellulose (CMC)

Exudate level: Moderate to high

Forms gel with exudate: Yes

Supports autolytic debridement: Yes

Suitable for sloughy wounds: Yes

Haemostatic: Yes – for minor superficial bleeding

Antimicrobial: No

Can be cut: Yes

Suitable for cavity wounds: Yes

Suitable under compression: Yes, where clinically indicated

Secondary dressing required: Yes

Maximum wear time: Up to 7 days

Sterile: Yes

Single use: Yes

Current UK sizes and codes

Biatain Alginate – 5cm × 5cm

• Manufacturer pack size: 30 dressings
• Coloplast product code: 3705
• PIP code: 377-6747
• NHS code: ELS068
• BNF / dm+d code: 20030200053

Biatain Alginate – 10cm × 10cm

• Pack size: 10 dressings
• Coloplast product code: 3710
• PIP code: 377-6754
• NHS code: ELS069

Biatain Alginate – 15cm × 15cm

• Pack size: 10 dressings
• Coloplast product code: 3715
• PIP code: 377-6762
• NHS code: ELS070
• BNF / dm+d code: 20030200055

Biatain Alginate Filler – 3cm × 44cm

• Pack size: 6 dressings
• Coloplast product code: 3740
• PIP code: 377-6770
• NHS code: ELS071
• BNF / dm+d code: 20030800043

Manufacturer: Coloplast Ltd

Biatain Alginate should be selected according to wound type, depth and exudate level. Chronic, diabetic, vascular, infected, bleeding or otherwise complex wounds should be assessed and monitored by an appropriately trained healthcare professional.