Atrauman Ag Silver Wound Contact Layer

Atrauman Ag is a sterile, non-adherent antimicrobial wound contact layer containing elemental silver, intended for chronic wounds and burns where reduction of wound bioburden is clinically appropriate.

The thin, soft and highly conformable polyamide mesh allows close contact with the wound bed. Its fibres are coated with elemental silver, while a neutral triglyceride-based impregnation helps prevent the dressing adhering to the wound and protects the wound margins from maceration.

Key features:

• Silver-containing antimicrobial wound contact layer
• Polyamide fibres coated with elemental silver
• Silver acts as an antimicrobial barrier
• Thin, soft and conformable
• Helps maintain close contact with the wound surface
• Low-adherent construction
• Supports atraumatic dressing changes
• Neutral triglyceride-based impregnation
• Contains no paraffin
• Helps protect wound margins from maceration
• Allows wound exudate to pass through to a secondary dressing
• Can be cut to size
• Must be applied in a single layer
• Requires an absorbent secondary dressing
• Can be combined with suitable foam, absorbent or superabsorbent dressings
• Compatible with HARTMANN Vivano NPWT where clinically appropriate
• Maximum wear time up to 7 days
• Sterile
• Single use
• Medical device.

Composition

Atrauman Ag consists of a support fabric made from polyamide fibres coated with elemental silver.

The dressing is impregnated with a non-medicated ointment based on neutral lipids/triglycerides containing:

• Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride
• Bis-diglyceryl polyacyladipate-2
• Macrogol 2000

The impregnation contains no paraffin.

How Atrauman Ag works

Atrauman Ag is primarily a silver-containing antimicrobial wound-contact barrier.

The dressing is designed so that the silver-coated fibres remain in close contact with the wound surface. The silver provides antimicrobial action while the open mesh allows wound exudate to pass through into the absorbent secondary dressing.

The soft carrier material and neutral impregnation reduce adherence to the wound bed, supporting less traumatic dressing removal.

Unlike a silver foam, alginate or gelling-fibre dressing, Atrauman Ag itself is not designed to absorb significant quantities of exudate.

Suitable wound types

HARTMANN specifically indicates Atrauman Ag for:

• Leg ulcers / ulcus cruris
• Diabetic leg/foot ulcers
• Pressure ulcers / pressure injuries
• Acute burns up to second degree

It is intended for use by healthcare professionals.

Atrauman Ag may be appropriate where a wound requires both:

• A low-adherent wound-contact layer, and
• A silver-containing antimicrobial barrier.

The underlying cause of chronic wounds should also be appropriately managed, for example compression for suitable venous leg ulcers, off-loading for diabetic foot ulcers and pressure redistribution for pressure injuries.

Secondary dressing required

Atrauman Ag must be combined with an appropriate secondary dressing.

Depending on the wound and amount of exudate, this may include:

• Absorbent dressing
• Superabsorbent dressing
• Foam dressing
• Gauze dressing

The secondary dressing provides the required exudate-management capacity.

How to use

1. Cleanse and prepare the wound according to appropriate clinical practice.
2. Select an appropriate size of Atrauman Ag.
3. If required, cut the dressing to fit using sterile scissors.
4. Remove one protective cover.
5. Apply Atrauman Ag directly to the wound.
6. Remove the remaining protective cover.
7. Ensure the dressing is in close contact with the wound surface.
8. Apply an appropriate sterile absorbent secondary dressing.
9. Secure according to wound location and treatment requirements.

Atrauman Ag should overlap the wound appropriately and be approximately the same size as the secondary dressing.

Important application point

Atrauman Ag should be applied in a:

single layer only.

HARTMANN specifically states that it should not be folded or applied in multiple layers.

For thick or viscous exudate, the manufacturer permits cutting into the dressing with sterile scissors to help prevent exudate accumulating beneath it.

Deep wounds

Atrauman Ag may be used on appropriate deeper wounds provided that it remains in direct contact with the absorbent secondary dressing and is positioned without creasing, allowing wound fluid to drain freely into the secondary dressing.

It should not be tightly packed or folded into multiple layers.

Dressing changes

The efficacy of the silver barrier dressing can last for up to:

7 days

and the wear time of an individual dressing must not exceed 7 days.

Actual dressing-change frequency depends on:

• Wound condition
• Exudate level
• Infection status
• Secondary dressing saturation
• Clinical judgement

Unless otherwise medically directed, a fresh Atrauman Ag should be used at each dressing change.

Dry wounds

Do not use Atrauman Ag on dry wounds.

The manufacturer's IFU specifically lists dry wounds as a contraindication.

Infection

Atrauman Ag can form part of the management of wounds where antimicrobial action is required, but it does not replace antibiotic therapy where systemic or other antibiotic treatment is clinically necessary.

Seek appropriate clinical assessment where there is:

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

Contraindications

Do not use Atrauman Ag:

• In patients with known allergy or hypersensitivity to any dressing component
• On dry wounds.

Do not combine with iodine or paraffin

HARTMANN specifically states that Atrauman Ag should not be used in combination with dressings or ointments containing:

• Iodine
• Paraffin.

This is particularly relevant when selecting the secondary dressing or other topical wound products.

Children, pregnancy and breastfeeding

Because adequate supporting data are lacking, HARTMANN advises caution when using Atrauman Ag in:

• Infants
• Children
• Pregnant women
• Breastfeeding women

Use in these groups should follow a clinician's recommendation.

MRI

The current HARTMANN IFU states that there are insufficient data regarding use during MRI, and therefore recommends use during MRI only with appropriate clinician assessment/caution.

Possible effects

The manufacturer reports that:

• Temporary wound or wound-margin discolouration can occur with silver dressings.
• Very rarely, adherence with pain or bleeding on removal may occur.
• Very rarely, allergic reactions may occur.

Product specifications

Product type: Antimicrobial Silver Wound Contact Layer
Material: Polyamide fibres
Antimicrobial component: Elemental silver coating
Impregnation: Neutral triglyceride-based ointment
Contains paraffin: No
Absorbent: No – requires an absorbent secondary dressing
Antimicrobial: Yes
Adhesive: No
Can be cut: Yes
Can be folded/multilayered: No
Secondary dressing required: Yes
Maximum wear time: Up to 7 days
Sterile: Yes
Single use: Yes
Manufacturer: PAUL HARTMANN Ltd

Current UK sizes and codes

Atrauman Ag – 5cm × 5cm

• Pack size: 10 dressings
• UK HARTMANN code: 499571
• PIP code: 321-4533
• NHS / NHSSC code: EKB039
• BNF / dm+d code: 20031600030

Atrauman Ag – 10cm × 10cm

• Pack size: 10 dressings
• UK HARTMANN code: 499573
• PIP code: 321-4541
• NHS / NHSSC code: EKB040
• BNF / dm+d code: 20031600031

Atrauman Ag – 10cm × 20cm

• Pack size: 10 dressings
• UK HARTMANN code: 499575
• PIP code: 321-4517
• NHS / NHSSC code: EKB041
• BNF / dm+d code: 20031600032

Product Information Leaflet