Silvercel (loose)

SILVERCEL is a sterile, highly absorbent antimicrobial hydro-alginate wound dressing containing silver, designed for the management of moderately to heavily exuding acute and chronic wounds, particularly where there is infection or an increased risk of infection.

The dressing combines high-G alginate, carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and silver-coated nylon fibres. It absorbs wound exudate while releasing antimicrobial silver ions into the moist dressing environment, helping control a broad spectrum of wound-related microorganisms while maintaining conditions favourable to wound healing.

Key features:

• Antimicrobial hydro-alginate wound dressing
• Contains silver-coated nylon fibres
• Contains high-G alginate
• Contains carboxymethylcellulose (CMC)
• Suitable for moderately to heavily exuding wounds
• Absorbs and retains wound exudate
• Helps maintain a moist wound-healing environment
• Releases antimicrobial silver ions
• Broad-spectrum antimicrobial action
• Effective in vitro against wound-related organisms including:
  • MRSA
  • MRSE
  • VRE
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa
  • Escherichia coli
  • Candida albicans
• Helps reduce wound-related odour through its antimicrobial action
• Conforms to the wound bed
• Good wet tensile strength
• Designed to facilitate intact removal
• Can assist with minor superficial bleeding
• Suitable for use under compression therapy where clinically indicated
• Rope presentation available for deeper and cavity wounds
• Requires an appropriate secondary dressing
• Sterile
• Single use
• Medical device

How SILVERCEL works

SILVERCEL combines fluid management with antimicrobial activity.

When the dressing comes into contact with wound exudate:

1. The alginate and CMC fibres absorb wound fluid.
2. The dressing becomes moist and conforms closely to the wound bed.
3. Silver ions are released from the silver-coated fibres.
4. The silver provides antimicrobial activity against microorganisms within the wound environment.
5. Exudate is retained within the dressing.
6. The moist environment supports normal wound-healing processes.

The dressing increases in tensile strength when exposed to wound exudate, helping it remain intact during removal.

Antimicrobial action

SILVERCEL provides antimicrobial silver activity against a broad spectrum of microorganisms associated with wound colonisation and infection.

Silver dressings should generally be used when there is a clinical indication for antimicrobial treatment, rather than routinely on all wounds.

The wound should be regularly reassessed to determine whether continued silver treatment remains necessary.

Suitable wound types

SILVERCEL is intended for moderately to heavily exuding partial- and full-thickness wounds, including:

• Pressure ulcers / pressure injuries
• Venous leg ulcers
• Diabetic foot ulcers
• Donor sites
• Traumatic wounds
• Surgical wounds
• Other appropriate acute and chronic exuding wounds

It may be used under medical supervision for:

• Infected wounds
• Wounds with an increased risk of infection

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

For example:

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

How to use

SILVERCEL 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. Remove excess cleansing solution from the surrounding skin.
4. Select an appropriately sized SILVERCEL dressing.
5. Cut or fold the dressing to fit the wound where required.
6. Apply directly to the wound bed.
7. For deeper wounds, loosely position the appropriate dressing or rope within the wound.
8. Cover with an appropriate secondary dressing.
9. Secure according to wound location, exudate level and treatment requirements.
10. Compression bandaging may be applied where clinically prescribed.

Deep and cavity wounds

The 2.5cm × 30.5cm SILVERCEL Rope presentation is suitable for appropriate deeper and cavity wounds.

When applying:

• Loosely place the dressing into the wound
• Do not tightly pack the cavity
• Allow space for the dressing to absorb exudate
• Leave sufficient dressing accessible for complete removal

At each dressing change, ensure that all dressing material has been removed.

Secondary dressing

SILVERCEL is a primary wound dressing and normally requires an appropriate secondary dressing.

The secondary dressing should be selected according to:

• Exudate volume
• Wound depth
• Wound location
• Condition of surrounding skin
• Need for fixation
• Compression requirements

Dressing changes

Dressing-change frequency depends on:

• Wound condition
• Level of exudate
• Infection status
• Secondary dressing capacity
• Clinical judgement

Silver activity may be sustained for up to 7 days, depending on wound condition and exudate.

Change sooner if:

• The dressing becomes saturated
• Leakage occurs
• The secondary dressing becomes saturated
• The dressing becomes displaced
• The wound needs reassessment
• Infection worsens

Antimicrobial treatment should be regularly reviewed, rather than continued indefinitely without reassessment.

Removal

SILVERCEL has good wet integrity and is designed to facilitate intact removal.

If the dressing becomes dry or adheres as exudate levels decrease:

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

As the wound improves and produces less exudate, consider changing to a dressing better suited to a lower-exudate wound.

Minor bleeding

Because SILVERCEL contains alginate, it may assist with the control of minor superficial bleeding.

It is not intended to control heavy or uncontrolled bleeding.

Significant bleeding requires appropriate clinical assessment and haemostatic treatment.

Infection

SILVERCEL can be used under medical supervision in the management of infected wounds, but it does not replace appropriate systemic treatment where this is required.

Seek clinical assessment if there is:

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

Systemic antimicrobial treatment should be considered where clinically indicated.

Contraindications

Do not use SILVERCEL:

• In patients with a known hypersensitivity to:
  • Silver
  • Alginate
  • Any other dressing component
• For surgical implantation
• To control heavy bleeding

MRI and electrical procedures

Remove SILVERCEL before MRI examinations.

Avoid contact with:

• ECG electrodes
• EEG electrodes
• Conductive gels used for electrical measurements

because the dressing contains silver.

Silver-specific precautions

There are limited data on prolonged and repeated use of silver-containing dressings, particularly in:

• Children
• Neonates

The continued need for silver treatment should therefore be reviewed regularly.

Important information

Do not:

• Tightly pack cavity wounds
• Use as the sole treatment for significant bleeding
• Reuse
• Re-sterilise
• Use if the sterile packaging is damaged or previously opened
• Use after the expiry date

Product type: Antimicrobial Hydro-Alginate Wound Dressing

Composition: High-G alginate, carboxymethylcellulose and silver-coated nylon fibres

Antimicrobial component: Silver

Exudate level: Moderate to high

Antimicrobial: Yes

Suitable for infected wounds: Yes, under appropriate clinical supervision

Suitable for minor bleeding: Yes

Suitable under compression: Yes, where clinically indicated

Cavity presentation available: Yes

Secondary dressing required: Yes

Sterile: Yes

Single use: Yes

Current UK sizes and codes

SILVERCEL – 5cm × 5cm

• Pack size: 10 dressings
• Product code: CAD050
• PIP code: 315-1156
• NHS Supply Chain code: ELS149
• BNF / dm+d code: 20030400290

SILVERCEL – 11cm × 11cm

• Pack size: 10 dressings
• Product code: CAD011
• PIP code: 315-1164
• NHS Supply Chain code: ELS150

SILVERCEL – 10cm × 20cm

• Pack size: 5 dressings
• Product code: CAD020
• PIP code: 315-1172
• NHS Supply Chain code: ELS151
• BNF / dm+d code: 20030400296

SILVERCEL Rope – 2.5cm × 30.5cm

• Pack size: 5 dressings
• Product code: CAD230
• PIP code: 315-1180
• NHS Supply Chain code: ELS152
• BNF / dm+d code: 20030400295

Brand: SILVERCEL™

Current brand owner: Solventum

SILVERCEL should be selected according to wound type, exudate level and the clinical need for antimicrobial treatment. Infected, diabetic, vascular or otherwise complex wounds should be assessed and monitored by an appropriately trained healthcare professional.