Urgoclean Ag Antimicrobial Silver Dressings

UrgoClean Ag is a sterile antimicrobial wound dressing combining highly absorbent polyacrylate fibres with a silver-impregnated TLC-Ag wound-contact matrix, designed for exuding acute and chronic wounds that are at risk of infection or show signs of local infection.

The polyabsorbent fibres continuously trap and remove exudate, slough and wound debris, while the silver ions provide broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. This combination makes UrgoClean Ag particularly suitable for wounds requiring simultaneous cleansing, desloughing, exudate management and antimicrobial action.

Key features:

• Antimicrobial silver wound dressing
• Combines desloughing and antimicrobial activity
• Highly absorbent polyacrylate fibres
• TLC-Ag Technology
• Contains silver sulphate
• Helps absorb:
  • Wound exudate
  • Slough
  • Wound debris
• Supports autolytic debridement
• Helps maintain a clean wound bed
• Helps disrupt and manage bacterial biofilm
• Broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity
• Active against organisms including:
  • Staphylococcus aureus
  • MRSA
  • Streptococcus pyogenes
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa
• Antimicrobial activity begins rapidly after application
• In-vitro anti-biofilm activity demonstrated for up to 7 days
• Helps reduce odour caused by microorganisms
• Maintains a moist wound-healing environment
• Can assist with minor wound bleeding
• Strong wet integrity
• Designed for removal in one piece
• Micro-adherent wound-contact surface
• Designed for atraumatic removal
• Can be cut to size
• Can be used under compression therapy where clinically indicated
• Can be adapted for appropriate cavity wounds
• Secondary dressing may be used where required
• Sterile
• Single use
• Medical device

Dressing construction

UrgoClean Ag consists of a sterile non-woven pad made from cohesive polyabsorbent polyacrylate fibres.

The fibres are arranged parallel to the wound surface and bonded using a hot-melt process.

This structure helps:

• Absorb exudate
• Bind slough and wound debris
• Drain unwanted material away from the wound
• Maintain dressing integrity
• Facilitate removal in one piece

The polyabsorbent dressing is coated with Urgo Medical's TLC-Ag micro-adherent healing matrix.

TLC-Ag contains:

• Lipido-colloid components
• Carboxymethylcellulose
• Silver sulphate

When the dressing contacts wound exudate, the TLC-Ag matrix forms a gel and releases antimicrobial silver ions.

How UrgoClean Ag works

UrgoClean Ag combines three main actions.

1. Continuous wound cleansing

The polyabsorbent fibres bind to slough and wound residues.

As exudate is absorbed, these residues are trapped within the dressing and removed when the dressing is changed.

This supports:

• Desloughing
• Wound-bed cleansing
• Maintenance debridement

2. Exudate management

The polyacrylate fibres have a high absorption capacity and help remove excess wound fluid while limiting its spread towards the wound margins.

This helps protect the surrounding skin from excessive moisture and maceration.

3. Antimicrobial and anti-biofilm action

Silver ions released from the TLC-Ag matrix provide broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity.

Urgo Medical reports activity against common wound organisms including:

• Staphylococcus aureus
• MRSA
• Streptococcus pyogenes
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The combination of continuous cleansing and silver activity also helps disrupt bacterial biofilm and reduce its reformation.

Suitable wound types

UrgoClean Ag is indicated from the desloughing phase onwards for exuding acute and chronic wounds that are:

• At risk of infection, or
• Showing signs of local infection

Suitable wounds include:

• Venous leg ulcers
• Diabetic foot ulcers
• Pressure ulcers / pressure injuries
• Burns
• Traumatic wounds
• Abrasions
• Post-operative / surgical wounds

It is particularly useful where the wound contains:

• Slough
• Exudate
• Wound debris
• Increased bacterial burden

The underlying cause of chronic wounds must also be appropriately treated.

How to use

UrgoClean Ag should be used under medical or appropriately qualified healthcare-professional supervision.

1. Clean the wound with normal saline according to the wound-care protocol.
2. If an antiseptic has previously been used, rinse the wound carefully with normal saline before applying UrgoClean Ag.
3. Carry out mechanical debridement where clinically required.
4. Remove the protective tabs from the dressing.
5. Apply the micro-adherent side directly to the wound and wound edges.
6. If necessary, cut the dressing to the required size using sterile scissors.
7. Cover with an appropriate secondary dressing where necessary.
8. Secure with a suitable bandage or tape.
9. Compression therapy may be applied where clinically prescribed.

Can UrgoClean Ag be cut?

Yes.

UrgoClean Ag can be cut with sterile scissors to adapt the dressing to the wound.

The manufacturer also indicates that it can be adapted for appropriate cavity wounds, including by cutting the dressing into a spiral where clinically appropriate.

Dressing changes

During the active desloughing phase, Urgo Medical recommends changing UrgoClean Ag approximately:

Every 1–2 days

As the wound becomes cleaner, dressing-change frequency can be reduced according to:

• Exudate level
• Wound condition
• Infection status
• Clinical judgement

The dressing may remain in place for up to:

7 days

where clinically appropriate.

Maximum treatment duration

Urgo Medical specifies a maximum continuous treatment period with UrgoClean Ag of:

1 month

If antimicrobial treatment is still required after this period, the wound and continued need for silver therapy should be clinically reassessed.

Wound appearance during desloughing

During the early desloughing phase, the wound may temporarily appear larger.

This can occur because slough and non-viable tissue are progressively removed, exposing the true dimensions of the wound bed.

This does not necessarily indicate wound deterioration, but the wound should continue to be clinically monitored.

Minor bleeding

UrgoClean Ag can help manage minor wound bleeding, particularly after:

• Mechanical debridement
• Surgical debridement

However, it must not be used as a surgical sponge or to control heavy bleeding.

Significant or uncontrolled bleeding requires appropriate haemostatic treatment.

Infection

UrgoClean Ag has antimicrobial activity and is specifically intended for wounds at risk of or showing signs of local infection.

However, it does not replace appropriate systemic antibacterial treatment where this is clinically required.

Seek clinical assessment if there is:

• Spreading redness
• Increasing swelling
• Increasing pain
• Purulent discharge
• Fever
• Cellulitis
• Rapid wound deterioration
• Signs of systemic infection

Contraindications

Do not use UrgoClean Ag:

• In patients with a known sensitivity to silver
• As a surgical sponge for heavily bleeding wounds

Do not combine with:

• Hydrogen peroxide
• Organic mercury antiseptics
• Hexamidine antiseptics

If another antiseptic has been used, rinse the wound thoroughly with normal saline before applying UrgoClean Ag.

MRI

Remove UrgoClean Ag before an MRI examination.

The dressing should not remain on the patient during MRI scanning.

Electrical monitoring

Avoid direct contact between UrgoClean Ag and:

• ECG electrodes
• EEG electrodes
• Conductive gels used for electrical measurements

Other topical treatments

The simultaneous use of other locally acting wound treatments with UrgoClean Ag is not recommended unless compatibility has been specifically established.

Pregnancy, breastfeeding and newborns

Because specific clinical data are limited, the manufacturer does not recommend UrgoClean Ag during:

• Pregnancy
• Breastfeeding
• Treatment of newborn babies
• Treatment of premature babies

unless appropriately assessed by the treating clinician.

Children

Clinical data concerning prolonged or repeated use of silver-containing dressings in children are limited.

Use should therefore be based on appropriate professional assessment and the continued need for silver treatment should be regularly reviewed.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy

UrgoClean Ag must not be used during hyperbaric oxygen therapy without an oxygen mask because its lipido-colloid components present a combustion risk.

Specialist hyperbaric protocols must be followed.

Handling

The TLC-Ag surface may adhere to latex surgical gloves.

Avoid touching the micro-adherent surface directly where possible.

Sterile forceps or other appropriate handling techniques may be used.

Important information

UrgoClean Ag is:

• Sterile
• Individually packaged
• Single use only

Do not:

• Reuse
• Re-sterilise
• Use if the sterile packaging is damaged
• Retain cut-off unused portions for later use
• Use after the stated expiry date

Product type: Antimicrobial Polyabsorbent Desloughing Dressing

Technology: TLC-Ag / Lipido-Colloid Silver Technology

Absorbent fibres: Polyacrylate polyabsorbent fibres

Antimicrobial agent: Silver sulphate / silver ions

Antimicrobial: Yes

Anti-biofilm activity: Yes

Primary functions: Desloughing, cleansing, exudate management and antimicrobial action

Suitable wound stage: From the desloughing phase

Suitable for minor bleeding: Yes

Can be cut: Yes

Suitable under compression: Yes, where prescribed

Secondary dressing: May be required

Initial change frequency: Every 1–2 days during desloughing

Maximum wear time: Up to 7 days

Maximum recommended treatment duration: 1 month

Sterile: Yes

Single use: Yes

Current UK sizes and codes

UrgoClean Ag – 6cm × 6cm

• Pack size: 10 dressings
• Urgo product code: 551123
• PIP code: 401-9774
• NHS Supply Chain code: ELY609

UrgoClean Ag – 10cm × 10cm

• Pack size: 10 dressings
• Urgo product code: 552155
• PIP code: 401-9782
• NHS Supply Chain code: ELY610

UrgoClean Ag – 15cm × 20cm

• Pack size: 5 dressings
• Urgo product code: 551125
• PIP code: 401-9790
• NHS Supply Chain code: ELY611
• BNF / dm+d code: 20031700054

Manufacturer: Urgo Medical / Urgo Ltd

UrgoClean Ag should be selected according to wound-bed condition, exudate level and the clinical need for antimicrobial therapy. Infected, diabetic, vascular or otherwise complex wounds should be assessed and monitored by an appropriately trained healthcare professional.

Product Information Leaflet