Activheal Aquafiber Ribbon 2x46cm

ActivHeal AquaFiber is a sterile, soft and highly absorbent gelling alginate fibre wound dressing designed for the management of moderately to heavily exuding acute and chronic wounds.

The dressing is made from high-mannuronic acid alginate fibres with a hidden reinforcing layer, giving it high wet strength while allowing it to form a soft, cohesive gel when in contact with wound exudate.

Its vertical fluid absorption helps manage exudate while reducing lateral spread towards the wound margins, helping protect the surrounding skin from maceration.

Key features:

• Highly absorbent gelling alginate fibre dressing
• Made from high-M alginate fibres
• Reinforced with a hidden integrity layer
• Excellent wet and dry strength
• Forms a soft, clear cohesive gel on contact with wound exudate
• Suitable for moderately to heavily exuding wounds
• Absorbs exudate predominantly vertically
• Helps reduce lateral wicking
• Helps protect periwound skin from maceration
• Maintains a moist wound-healing environment
• Supports autolytic debridement
• Conforms closely to the wound bed
• Designed for intact removal
• Can help control minor bleeding in superficial wounds
• Flat dressings and cavity rope available
• Used as a primary wound dressing
• May require an appropriate secondary dressing
• Sterile
• Single use
• Medical device

How ActivHeal AquaFiber works:

ActivHeal AquaFiber consists of non-woven high-M alginate fibres.

When the dressing contacts wound exudate:

1. Calcium ions within the alginate fibres exchange with sodium ions in the wound fluid.
2. The fibres absorb the wound exudate.
3. The dressing swells and forms a soft cohesive gel.
4. Exudate is retained within the dressing.
5. Fluid is absorbed predominantly vertically, helping reduce lateral spread towards the wound margins.
6. The resulting moist environment supports natural wound healing and autolytic removal of devitalised tissue.

The internal reinforcing web provides additional wet tensile strength, helping the dressing remain intact during removal.

Suitable wound types include:

ActivHeal AquaFiber is indicated for moderately to heavily exuding acute and chronic wounds, including:

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

It may be used on wounds containing:

• Granulation tissue
• Slough
• Moist necrotic tissue

where clinically appropriate.

Exudate level:

ActivHeal AquaFiber is designed primarily for:

• Moderately exuding wounds
• Heavily exuding wounds

It is not recommended for dry wounds, because wound moisture is required for the alginate fibres to absorb fluid and form their characteristic gel.

Minor bleeding:

The calcium-containing alginate fibres can help support haemostasis and ActivHeal AquaFiber may be used to assist with the control of minor bleeding in superficial wounds.

It should not be relied upon to control:

• Severe bleeding
• Persistent bleeding
• Arterial bleeding
• Other significant haemorrhage

Significant bleeding requires appropriate clinical assessment and haemostatic treatment.

How to use:

ActivHeal AquaFiber should be used according to the manufacturer's instructions 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 a dressing appropriate to the wound size and depth.
4. Apply ActivHeal AquaFiber directly to the wound bed.
5. Ensure good contact between the dressing and the wound surface.
6. Cover with an appropriate secondary dressing where required.
7. Secure using an appropriate fixation system.
8. Compression therapy may be applied where clinically indicated and following appropriate vascular assessment.

The secondary dressing should be selected according to:

• Exudate level
• Wound size
• Wound location
• Condition of the surrounding skin

Cavity wounds:

A separate ActivHeal AquaFiber Rope is available for cavity wounds.

When using the rope:

• Place it gently into the wound cavity
• Do not pack the wound excessively tightly
• Allow space for the dressing to expand as it absorbs exudate
• Leave sufficient dressing accessible to allow complete removal

Ensure that all dressing material is removed at each dressing change.

Dressing changes:

The frequency of dressing changes depends on:

• Amount of wound exudate
• Wound condition
• Secondary dressing capacity
• Condition of the surrounding skin
• 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 require frequent dressing changes initially. As exudate decreases, the interval may be extended according to clinical judgement.

Removal:

The reinforcing layer gives ActivHeal AquaFiber good wet integrity and helps allow the gelled dressing to be removed intact.

If the dressing has dried or adhered because wound exudate has reduced:

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

Do not forcibly remove dried dressing material from delicate healing tissue.

Infection:

Standard ActivHeal AquaFiber is not an antimicrobial dressing.

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

Signs may include:

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

For wounds where an antimicrobial fibre dressing is clinically indicated, ActivHeal AquaFiber Ag is a separate silver-containing product.

Important information:

ActivHeal AquaFiber should be used as part of an appropriate wound-management programme.

The underlying cause of chronic wounds should also be addressed, for example:

• Compression therapy for suitable venous leg ulcers
• Pressure off-loading for diabetic foot ulcers
• Pressure redistribution for pressure injuries
• Vascular assessment for arterial wounds
• Appropriate infection management where required

Do not use:

• On dry wounds
• In patients with known hypersensitivity to any of the dressing components
• If the sterile packaging is damaged or previously opened
• Beyond the stated expiry date

Do not:

• Reuse
• Re-sterilise
• Share between patients

Product type: Reinforced Gelling Alginate Fibre Dressing

Material: High-mannuronic acid alginate fibres with reinforcing integrity layer

Forms gel with exudate: Yes

Exudate level: Moderate to heavy

Supports autolytic debridement: Yes

Suitable for minor bleeding: Yes

Antimicrobial: No

Secondary dressing: May be required depending on exudate

Cavity version available: Yes

Sterile: Yes

Single use: Yes

Current UK sizes and codes

ActivHeal AquaFiber – 5cm × 5cm

• Pack size: 10 dressings
• Product code: 10009145
• PIP code: 333-0701
• NHS Supply Chain code: ELY202

ActivHeal AquaFiber – 10cm × 10cm

• Pack size: 10 dressings
• Product code: 10009146
• PIP code: 333-0719
• NHS Supply Chain code: ELY203

ActivHeal AquaFiber – 15cm × 15cm

• Pack size: 5 dressings
• Product code: 10009147
• PIP code: 333-0743
• NHS Supply Chain code: ELY204

ActivHeal AquaFiber Rope – 2cm × 42cm

• Pack size: 5 dressings
• Product code: 10009148
• PIP code: 333-0750
• NHS Supply Chain code: ELY205
• BNF / dm+d code: 20030800105

Manufacturer: Advanced Medical Solutions Ltd

ActivHeal AquaFiber should be selected according to wound type, depth 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