ACTISORB Silver 220 Activated Charcoal Dressing with Silver

ACTISORB Silver 220 is a sterile antimicrobial activated-charcoal wound dressing containing silver, designed particularly for the management of malodorous, contaminated or infected wounds.

The dressing consists of silver-impregnated activated charcoal enclosed within a non-adherent nylon sleeve. Its combination of charcoal and silver provides a distinctive three-way action: the activated charcoal traps wound odour, binds bacteria and bacterial toxins, while the silver acts against bacteria retained within the dressing.

Unlike many silver dressings, ACTISORB Silver 220 is not primarily designed to release large quantities of silver into the wound bed. Its principal mechanism is the binding and sequestration of bacteria within the charcoal dressing, followed by antimicrobial action of the silver within the dressing.

Key features

• Activated-charcoal dressing containing silver
• Particularly suitable for malodorous wounds
• Helps bind and trap wound odour
• Binds bacteria within the dressing
• Binds bacterial toxins / endotoxins
• Silver provides antimicrobial activity within the dressing
• Effective in vitro against a broad spectrum of wound-associated microorganisms
• Manufacturer testing includes activity against MRSA and VRE
• Provides a barrier to bacterial penetration
• Helps reduce bacterial burden
• Non-adherent nylon outer sleeve
• May be applied directly to the wound
• Can be combined with a non-adherent wound-contact layer where required
• Can be used with an absorbent secondary dressing
• Can remain in place for up to 7 days, depending on wound drainage and clinical condition
• Suitable beneath compression where clinically appropriate
• Must not be cut
• Sterile
• Single use
• Medical device

How ACTISORB Silver 220 works

ACTISORB Silver 220 combines activated charcoal with antimicrobial silver.

1. Odour control

Activated charcoal has a very large internal surface area and adsorbs the volatile compounds responsible for unpleasant wound odour.

Rather than simply masking the smell, the dressing traps odour-producing substances within the charcoal layer.

This makes ACTISORB Silver 220 particularly useful in wounds where malodour has a significant effect on comfort, dignity or quality of life.

2. Bacteria and toxin binding

The activated charcoal also binds:

• Bacteria
• Bacterial toxins
• Endotoxins

within the dressing.

This physically removes potentially harmful material from the wound environment when the dressing is changed.

3. Silver antimicrobial action

Silver incorporated into the activated charcoal acts against bacteria trapped within the dressing.

ACTISORB Silver 220 has demonstrated in-vitro antimicrobial activity against a wide range of wound-associated microorganisms, including antibiotic-resistant organisms such as:

• MRSA
• VRE

The dressing should nevertheless be used as part of an appropriate wound-management programme and does not replace systemic antimicrobial treatment when this is clinically required.

Suitable wound types

ACTISORB Silver 220 may be used on partial- and full-thickness wounds where bacterial contamination, infection or malodour is present, including:

• Fungating / malignant wounds
• Ulcerative wounds
• Leg ulcers
• Pressure ulcers / pressure injuries
• Diabetic ulcers
• Traumatic wounds
• Surgical wounds
• Other appropriately assessed malodorous wounds

It can be particularly useful for palliative or malignant wounds where odour control is an important treatment objective.

Malodorous wounds

Persistent or increasing wound odour should not simply be covered up.

Malodour may result from:

• Increased bacterial burden
• Infection
• Necrotic tissue
• Heavy exudate
• Malignant or fungating tissue

The underlying cause should therefore be assessed whenever possible.

ACTISORB Silver 220 helps manage the odour while simultaneously binding bacteria and bacterial toxins within the dressing.

Exudate management

ACTISORB Silver 220 is not primarily a high-capacity absorbent dressing.

Where wound fluid is present, it should be combined with an appropriate secondary absorbent dressing selected according to the level of exudate.

The secondary dressing may be changed more frequently than ACTISORB Silver 220 itself if required.

How to use

ACTISORB Silver 220 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 ACTISORB Silver 220 dressing.
4. Remove the dressing from its sterile packaging.
5. Apply directly over the wound.
6. If required for a particularly delicate wound surface, an appropriate non-adherent wound-contact layer may be positioned beneath ACTISORB Silver 220.
7. Cover with a suitable secondary dressing where additional exudate management is required.
8. Secure using an appropriate bandage, tape or other fixation method.

ACTISORB Silver 220 may also be used beneath compression therapy where compression is clinically indicated.

Important – do not cut ACTISORB Silver 220

ACTISORB Silver 220 must not be cut.

Cutting the dressing can release activated-charcoal particles from the nylon sleeve into the wound.

This may:

• Contaminate the wound with charcoal particles
• Cause wound discolouration
• Compromise dressing performance

Select the closest suitable dressing size instead.

The dressing may be folded where appropriate, but should remain intact.

Dressing changes

ACTISORB Silver 220 may remain in place for up to:

7 days

depending on:

• Wound condition
• Level of exudate
• Odour
• Infection status
• Condition of the secondary dressing
• Clinical judgement

Initially, heavily contaminated, infected, highly exuding or very malodorous wounds may require more frequent dressing changes.

A secondary absorbent dressing may be changed separately as often as required.

ACTISORB Silver 220 itself should be removed by day 7 at the latest, unless otherwise directed by an appropriately qualified clinician.

Infection

ACTISORB Silver 220 may form part of the management of an infected wound.

However, the dressing does not replace appropriate treatment of significant or spreading infection.

Seek clinical assessment if there is:

• Increasing redness
• Swelling
• Increasing pain
• Heat
• Purulent discharge
• Fever
• Cellulitis
• Spreading inflammation
• Rapid wound deterioration

Systemic antibiotics or other treatment may be required where clinically indicated.

Silver treatment

The continued need for a silver-containing antimicrobial dressing should be regularly reviewed.

Many NHS wound-care formularies recommend reassessment after a short course of antimicrobial treatment rather than continuing silver dressings indefinitely.

Once bacterial burden and odour are controlled, a non-antimicrobial dressing may be more appropriate.

Contraindications

Do not use ACTISORB Silver 220:

• In patients with a known sensitivity or hypersensitivity to silver
• On third-degree burns

The product is for external use only.

Petrolatum-based products

Excessive use of petrolatum / petroleum-based ointments with ACTISORB Silver 220 may impair dressing performance.

If another topical treatment is being used, compatibility should be checked before combining it with the dressing.

Important information

Do not:

• Cut the dressing
• Reuse
• Re-sterilise
• Use if the sterile packaging is damaged or previously opened
• Use after the expiry date

ACTISORB Silver 220 should be selected according to wound condition, bacterial burden, odour and exudate level.

Product type: Activated Charcoal Antimicrobial Dressing with Silver

Construction: Silver-containing activated charcoal enclosed in a non-adherent nylon sleeve

Contains activated charcoal: Yes

Contains silver: Yes

Primary actions: Odour adsorption, bacterial/toxin binding and antimicrobial activity

Antimicrobial: Yes

Odour control: Yes – a principal indication

High-capacity absorbent dressing: No

Secondary absorbent dressing: May be required depending on exudate

Can be cut: No

Can be folded: Yes, where clinically appropriate

Suitable under compression: Yes, where clinically appropriate

Maximum wear time: Up to 7 days

Sterile: Yes

Single use: Yes

Current UK sizes and codes

ACTISORB Silver 220 – 6.5cm × 9.5cm

• Pack size: 10 dressings
• Product code: MAS065
• Current Solventum product ID: 7100271822
• PIP / Drug Tariff code: 272-8327
• NHS Supply Chain code: ELV004
• BNF / dm+d code: 20030700009

ACTISORB Silver 220 – 10.5cm × 10.5cm

• Pack size: 10 dressings
• Product code: MAS105
• Current Solventum product ID: 7100271828
• PIP / Drug Tariff code: 048-7264
• NHS Supply Chain code: ELV002
• BNF / dm+d code: 20030700010

ACTISORB Silver 220 – 10.5cm × 19cm

• Pack size: 10 dressings
• Product code: MAS190
• Current Solventum product ID: 7100271834
• PIP / Drug Tariff code: 255-1901
• NHS Supply Chain code: ELV003
• BNF / dm+d code: 20030700011

Brand: ACTISORB™

Current brand owner: Solventum

ACTISORB Silver 220 should be selected according to wound type, odour, bacterial burden and exudate level. Infected, diabetic, vascular, malignant or otherwise complex wounds should be assessed and monitored by an appropriately trained healthcare professional.

Product Information Leaflet