• PHMB is combined with a foam base providing a highly effective antimicrobial dressing in an easy to use presentation
• Impregnated with 0.5% PHMB (Polyhexamethylene Biguanide) a safe antiseptic with broad-spectrum activity against gram negative and gram positive bacteria, fungi and yeast including: MRSA, VRE, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ^[1-3]
• PHMB helps to maintain normal skin barrier function by not inhibiting the growth of normal skin flora that are crucial to the control of bacterial balance ^[4]
• PHMB binds to the cell membranes of micro-organisms causing holes to form.  The cells subsequently leak, causing them to collapse and die within 30 minutes – this will occur in both wet and dry conditions ^[3,5]
• PHMB also impacts bacterial metabolism, starving cells of energy ^[3]
• The cleverly constructed foam absorbs fluid and prevents pooling in the wound and shrinks when the amount and flow of exudate decreases, preventing the wound surface from drying out
• Effective fluid retention even under compression
• Polyurethane back sheet avoids strike through when under compression and to provide protection against bacteria
• Non-adherent material, with no shedding of fibres or particles to minimise pain on removal
• Soft, conformable and comfortable for patients to wear
• As PHMB maintains its activity in the presence of wound exudate and the dressing has a highly absorptive core the dressings can remain in place for up to 7 days ^[2,3]
• Available in non-adherent and bordered presentations
• New gentle adhesion dressing now available to reduce pain on removal

References

1. Spruce P, Edwards-Jones V, Invins N, Sibbald RG, Shah C, Patel H. Kendall™ AMD Antimicrobial Foam Dressings Made Easy, Wounds International 2012;3(2).
2. McGhee D, Bade D, Shah C, et al. Activity of antimicrobial dressings using clinically relevant organisms MRSA, VRE and P.aeruginosa. Mansfield, MA (USA): Covidien, 2009.
3. Hubner N-O and Kramer A. Review on the efficacy, safety and clinical applications of polihexanide, a modern wound antiseptic. Skin Pharmacol Physiol 2010; 23 (Suppl 1): 17-27.
4. Motta GJ, Trigilia D. Impact of an antimicrobial drain sponge dressing upon specific bacterial isolates at tracheostomy sites. Mansfield, MA (USA): Covidien, 2011.
5. P Leahy-Gilmartin et al. Time kill kinetics and log reduction activity of Covidien AMD Foam™. Presented at the European Wound Management Congress, Geneva 2010.