Activheal Alginate Cavity Rope 2.5x30cm - box of 5

ActivHeal Alginate Rope is a sterile sodium calcium alginate cavity dressing designed for the management of moderately to heavily exuding wounds, particularly deeper, cavity and difficult-to-dress wounds.

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

The alginate fibres also have natural haemostatic properties, helping control minor bleeding in appropriate wounds.

Key features:

• Sodium calcium alginate wound dressing
• Specifically suited to cavity and deeper wounds
• Suitable for moderately to heavily exuding wounds
• Made from natural alginate fibres derived from seaweed
• Forms a soft gel on contact with wound exudate
• Helps maintain a moist wound-healing environment
• Supports autolytic debridement
• Helps manage slough
• High absorbency
• High wet strength
• Conforms to irregular wound contours
• Designed to remain sufficiently intact for removal
• Naturally haemostatic
• Can assist with minor superficial bleeding
• Requires an appropriate secondary dressing
• Sterile
• Single use
• Medical device

How ActivHeal Alginate works:

When ActivHeal Alginate comes into contact with wound exudate, sodium ions within the wound fluid exchange with calcium within the alginate fibres.

This causes the dressing to:

1. Absorb wound exudate.
2. Swell and form a soft hydrophilic gel.
3. Conform closely to the wound surface.
4. Maintain a moist wound environment.
5. Support natural autolytic breakdown of slough and devitalised tissue.

ActivHeal Alginate also has high wet strength, helping the dressing retain its structure during removal.

The alginate fibres release calcium ions into the wound as they absorb fluid. These calcium ions can help activate platelets, allowing the dressing to assist with the control of minor bleeding.

Suitable wound types include:

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

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

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

Cavity wound application:

The rope format is designed to conform to:

• Cavities
• Undermined wounds
• Irregular wound spaces
• Other difficult-to-dress areas

When applying:

1. Cleanse the wound according to the appropriate wound-care protocol.
2. Gently place the alginate rope into the cavity.
3. Do not tightly pack or overfill the wound.
4. Allow sufficient space for the dressing to expand as it absorbs exudate.
5. Leave part of the rope accessible or visible to facilitate complete removal at the next dressing change.
6. Cover with an appropriate secondary dressing.
7. Secure according to the wound location and treatment plan.

All dressing material should be accounted for and removed during each dressing change.

Secondary dressing required:

ActivHeal Alginate Rope is a primary wound dressing.

An appropriate secondary dressing is normally required to:

• Retain the rope in position
• Manage additional exudate
• Protect the wound
• Provide suitable fixation

The secondary dressing should be selected according to the wound condition and exudate level.

Dressing changes:

Change frequency depends on:

• Wound exudate
• Dressing saturation
• Wound condition
• Secondary dressing
• Clinical judgement

Moderately or heavily exuding wounds may initially require frequent dressing changes.

Change the dressing if:

• Its absorption capacity has been reached
• Leakage occurs
• The secondary dressing becomes saturated
• The wound requires reassessment
• The dressing becomes displaced
• Infection or deterioration is suspected

Removal:

When sufficient wound exudate is present, ActivHeal Alginate forms a soft gel and can usually be removed gently.

If the dressing has dried or adhered to the wound:

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

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

Do not use on dry wounds:

ActivHeal Alginate requires wound moisture to gel effectively.

It is therefore not appropriate for dry or lightly exuding wounds.

Using an alginate dressing where there is insufficient exudate may cause it to dry and adhere to the wound.

Minor bleeding:

ActivHeal Alginate has natural haemostatic properties and can assist with minor bleeding in superficial wounds.

It must not be relied upon to control:

• Heavy bleeding
• Persistent bleeding
• Arterial haemorrhage
• Other significant bleeding

Significant bleeding requires appropriate clinical treatment.

Infection:

ActivHeal Alginate is not an antimicrobial dressing.

Alginate dressings may be used on appropriately managed infected wounds, but infection requires proper clinical assessment and treatment.

Seek clinical advice if there is:

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

Important information:

Do not:

• Use on dry or very lightly exuding wounds
• Over-pack cavity wounds
• Use as the sole treatment for significant bleeding
• Reuse
• Re-sterilise
• Use if the sterile packaging is damaged
• Use after the expiry date

Chronic, diabetic, arterial, infected or otherwise complex wounds should be managed according to an appropriate professional wound-care plan.

Product type: Alginate Cavity / Rope Dressing

Material: Sodium calcium alginate fibres

Source: Natural alginate derived from seaweed

Exudate level: Moderate to heavy

Forms gel with exudate: Yes

Supports autolytic debridement: Yes

Suitable for minor bleeding: Yes

Antimicrobial: No

Suitable for cavity wounds: Yes

Secondary dressing required: Yes

Sterile: Yes

Single use: Yes

NHS/dm+d size: 2.5cm × 30cm

Pack size: Box of 5 dressings

Manufacturer product code: 10007428

PIP code: 301-6797

NHS Supply Chain code: ELS142

BNF / dm+d code: 20030800100

Manufacturer: Advanced Medical Solutions Ltd

ActivHeal Alginate Rope should be selected according to the wound depth, exudate level and overall treatment plan. It is specifically designed for moderately to heavily exuding cavity wounds and should not be used to tightly pack a wound.

Activheal Catalogue Leaflet