ActivHeal PHMB Foam Dressings are sterile antimicrobial polyurethane foam dressings containing polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB / polyhexanide), designed for the management of moderately to heavily exuding acute and chronic wounds that are infected or at risk of infection.

The hydrophilic polyurethane foam absorbs wound exudate while PHMB is released in the presence of wound fluid, providing broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. The dressing helps maintain a moist wound-healing environment while reducing the risk of excess moisture damaging the surrounding skin.

The current range includes:

• ActivHeal PHMB Foam Non-Adhesive
• ActivHeal PHMB Foam Silicone Border

Key features:

• Antimicrobial polyurethane foam dressing
• Contains PHMB – polyhexamethylene biguanide / polyhexanide
• Suitable for wounds that are:
  • Infected
  • At increased risk of infection
• Suitable for moderately to heavily exuding wounds
• High exudate absorption
• Helps retain wound fluid
• Helps reduce the risk of periwound maceration
• Maintains a moist wound-healing environment
• Broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity
• Effective against Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms and yeasts
• Manufacturer in-vitro testing demonstrates antimicrobial effectiveness for up to 7 days
• Helps inhibit bacterial recolonisation
• Waterproof polyurethane backing
• Provides a bacterial barrier
• Soft and conformable
• Suitable beneath compression therapy where clinically indicated
• Sterile
• Single use
• Medical device

What is PHMB?

PHMB stands for:

Polyhexamethylene Biguanide

also known as:

Polyhexanide

PHMB is an antimicrobial substance used in wound-care products to help control microorganisms associated with wound colonisation and infection.

In ActivHeal PHMB Foam, the antimicrobial is incorporated into the dressing and is released in the presence of wound exudate.

Manufacturer testing demonstrates activity against organisms including:

• MRSA
• VRE
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa
• Escherichia coli
• Streptococcus pyogenes
• Staphylococcus aureus
• Candida albicans

Antimicrobial activity has been demonstrated in vitro for up to 7 days.

How ActivHeal PHMB Foam works

The dressing combines exudate management with antimicrobial activity.

When applied to an exuding wound:

1. Wound fluid passes through the perforated wound-contact layer.
2. The hydrophilic polyurethane foam absorbs the exudate.
3. PHMB is released in the presence of wound fluid.
4. PHMB helps kill and inhibit the growth of microorganisms.
5. Excess fluid is retained within the dressing.
6. The moist wound environment supports normal wound-healing processes.
7. The waterproof outer film helps protect the wound from external contamination.

ActivHeal PHMB Foam Non-Adhesive

ActivHeal PHMB Foam Non-Adhesive is a non-bordered antimicrobial foam dressing for moderately to heavily exuding wounds.

The dressing consists of:

• Hydrophilic antimicrobial polyurethane foam
• Clear perforated wound-contact film
• Pink low-friction waterproof polyurethane backing film

The perforated wound-contact layer helps prevent granulation tissue growing into the foam pores, helping reduce trauma during dressing removal.

Non-Adhesive features:

• No adhesive border
• Suitable where adhesive fixation is undesirable
• Requires an appropriate:
  • Bandage
  • Tape
  • Retention system
  • Compression system
• Can be useful where surrounding skin is fragile
• Suitable under compression therapy

ActivHeal PHMB Foam Silicone Border

ActivHeal PHMB Foam Silicone Border combines the antimicrobial PHMB foam with a gentle silicone adhesive border.

The silicone format provides:

• Gentle adhesion to surrounding skin
• Secure positioning
• Easier application
• Repositioning during application
• Reduced trauma during dressing removal
• All-in-one dressing format
• No routine need for separate fixation

The dressing also has a flexible, breathable waterproof backing film.

A dedicated Sacral 18.5cm × 19.5cm version is available for wounds in the sacral area.

Suitable wound types

ActivHeal PHMB Foam is indicated for moderately to heavily exuding acute and chronic wounds that are infected or at risk of infection, including:

• Pressure ulcers / pressure injuries
• Leg ulcers
• Foot ulcers
• Diabetic ulcers
• Surgical wounds

The dressing may be used through different wound-bed stages including:

• Sloughy wounds
• Granulating wounds
• Epithelialising wounds

and appropriately managed necrotic wounds where clinically indicated.

The underlying cause of chronic wounds should also be appropriately managed.

For example:

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

How to use

ActivHeal PHMB Foam 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. Debride devitalised tissue where clinically indicated.
3. Dry the surrounding skin.
4. Select an appropriate dressing size.
5. Apply the wound-contact surface directly over the wound.
6. Ensure the absorbent foam adequately covers the wound.
7. Secure according to dressing type.

Non-Adhesive

Secure using an appropriate:

• Retention bandage
• Medical tape
• Tubular bandage
• Compression system

Silicone Border

Remove the protective liners and gently smooth the silicone border onto the surrounding intact skin.

Do not stretch the dressing during application.

Use under compression

ActivHeal PHMB Foam Non-Adhesive is specifically confirmed by the manufacturer as suitable for use beneath compression bandaging.

Compression should only be used where clinically appropriate following suitable assessment.

The dressing itself does not provide compression.

Dressing changes

Dressing-change frequency should be based on:

• Amount of wound exudate
• Dressing saturation
• Infection status
• Condition of the surrounding skin
• Clinical progress

Change the dressing sooner if:

• It becomes saturated
• Leakage occurs
• The dressing becomes displaced
• Exudate increases significantly
• The wound needs reassessment
• Infection worsens

PHMB antimicrobial effectiveness has been demonstrated for up to 7 days in vitro.

The dressing should not automatically be left in place for seven days; the actual wear interval must reflect wound condition and exudate.

Infection

ActivHeal PHMB Foam is an antimicrobial dressing and may form part of the management of an infected wound.

However, it does not replace appropriate treatment of:

• Cellulitis
• Spreading infection
• Osteomyelitis
• Sepsis
• Other systemic infections

Systemic antibiotics or other treatment may still be required.

Seek clinical assessment if there is:

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

The need for ongoing antimicrobial dressing treatment should be regularly reviewed.

Do not use

ActivHeal PHMB Foam is not indicated for:

• Dry wounds
• Lightly exuding wounds
• Surgical implantation

Do not use in people with known sensitivity or hypersensitivity to:

• PHMB / polyhexanide
• Polyurethane foam
• Polyurethane film
• Other dressing components

Important information

Do not:

• Reuse
• Re-sterilise
• Use if the sterile packaging is damaged or previously opened
• Use beyond the stated expiry date

Each dressing is intended for single use only.

ActivHeal PHMB Foam Non-Adhesive – Current UK Sizes

5cm × 5cm

• Pack size: 10
• Product code: 9027517
• PIP code: 404-2024
• NHS Supply Chain code: ELA788

7.5cm × 7.5cm

• Pack size: 10
• Product code: 9027524
• PIP code: 404-2032
• NHS Supply Chain code: ELA789

10cm × 10cm

• Pack size: 10
• Product code: 9027531
• PIP code: 404-2040
• NHS Supply Chain code: ELA790

10cm × 20cm

• Pack size: 10
• Product code: 9027548
• PIP code: 404-2057
• NHS Supply Chain code: ELA791

15cm × 15cm

• Pack size: 10
• Product code: 9027555
• PIP code: 404-2065
• NHS Supply Chain code: ELA792

20cm × 20cm

• Pack size: 10
• Product code: 9027562
• PIP code: 404-2073
• NHS Supply Chain code: ELA793

ActivHeal PHMB Foam Silicone Border – Current UK Sizes

8cm × 8cm

• Pack size: 10
• Product code: 9027449
• PIP code: 419-8784
• NHS Supply Chain code: ELA1424

10cm × 10cm

• Pack size: 10
• Product code: 9027456
• PIP code: 419-8826
• NHS Supply Chain code: ELA1422

12.5cm × 12.5cm

• Pack size: 10
• Product code: 9027463
• PIP code: 419-8792
• NHS Supply Chain code: ELA1425

10cm × 20cm

• Pack size: 10
• Product code: 9027470
• PIP code: 419-8842
• NHS Supply Chain code: ELA1423

15cm × 15cm

• Pack size: 10
• Product code: 9027487
• PIP code: 419-8800
• NHS Supply Chain code: ELA1426

20cm × 20cm

• Pack size: 10
• Product code: 9027494
• PIP code: 419-8776
• NHS Supply Chain code: ELA1428

Sacral – 18.5cm × 19.5cm

• Pack size: 10
• Product code: 9027500
• PIP code: 419-8818
• NHS Supply Chain code: ELA1427

Product type: Antimicrobial Polyurethane Foam Dressing

Antimicrobial: PHMB / Polyhexamethylene Biguanide / Polyhexanide

Exudate level: Moderate to heavy

Suitable for infected wounds: Yes, as part of appropriate clinical management

Antimicrobial activity: Up to 7 days in vitro

Waterproof backing: Yes

Bacterial barrier: Yes

Suitable under compression: Yes, where clinically appropriate

Non-Adhesive version: Separate fixation required

Silicone Border version: Integrated silicone adhesive border

Sterile: Yes

Single use: Yes

Manufacturer: Advanced Medical Solutions Ltd

Activheal Catalogue Leaflet