Guide to the Best Wound Care Products

Gauze Sponges

Experts predict global spending on prescription drugs will increase by 3-6% annually. Spending in the United States will follow a similar growth rate. While this may seem like a positive trend, it creates a conundrum within the healthcare system.

The increase is primarily due to the rising cost of prescription drugs. A trend that threatens healthcare budgets and limits public funding for other equally important areas.

Patients are constantly coming face to face with a decades-long healthcare dilemma. While advances in science and significant investments from the private sector and the federal government have created new medications that contribute to improved patient outcomes, most of these treatments are out of reach for many patients.

The affordability issue is widespread, with an estimated 25% of Americans struggling to afford prescription drugs.

Gauze sponges are the most versatile wound care supply available. Gauze provides a sterile barrier against dirt and bacteria and is also instrumental in cleaning and absorbing excess body fluids before dressing the wound.

Gauze sponges come in a variety of presentations, including:

Standard sponges for basic wound cleaning and care
Gauze rolls for primary wound care
Pre-sterilized, cotton-filled gauze sponges
Self-adhering foam used to stabilize skin around a wound
Non-adhering dressings for burns and surgical incisions
ABD pads for more extensive wounds

Non-Woven Sponges

Comprised of tightly pressed fibers (usually made from cotton, polyester, or rayon) are thicker and more durable than traditional woven sponges.

Because non-woven sponges leave minimal traces of lint in a wound, they protect open wounds and promote optimal healing.

Medical Tape

Another staple in wound care is medical tape, which helps secure the bandaging used to cover and protect wounds or surgical incisions.

Medical tapes are self-adhesive and hypoallergenic and come in a variety of sizes and categories to treat different types of injuries, such as:

Surgical tape
Waterproof tape
Adhesive foam
Cloth tape
Athletic tape
Stretch tape
Pre-wrap

Alcohol Pads

Sealed and individually packed alcohol pads are the perfect ally to clean and prepare the skin for injection or surgical incision as part of a patient’s wound care. Alcohol pads help to disinfect the treatment area preventing harmful bacteria from entering the body. Additionally, alcohol pads help clean away debris, dirt, and bacteria from an open wound.
Bandages and Dressings

Dressing a wound helps protect the area and promote germ-free healing.

There are different types of bandages and dressing designed to treat a variety of injuries, including:

Basic transparent adhesive bandages
Dry gauze dressings
Medicated bandages
Foam dressings
Hydrogel and hydrocolloid dressings
Alginate dressings

Suture Removal Kits

Suture kits consist of pre-packaged sterile tools such as Littauer scissors, gauze, and forceps. Aside from their convenience, suture kits help prevent bacterial infections, making them an essential wound care supply.

Medical Gloves and Face Masks

Disposable face masks and medical gloves are essential personal protection equipment (PPE) required to help prevent the transmission of harmful bacteria and airborne pathogens that could infect and further complicate a patient’s injury. Medical gloves are available in both latex and latex-free presentations.

Cotton Tipped Applicators

Primarily used to help clean the wound and surrounding tissue and apply medication to an injury, cotton-tipped applicators are also useful for swabbing a wound to obtain a test sample to determine the presence of infection.

Wound Fillers

Wound fillers treat infected, draining, and deep wounds that require packing. Additionally, wound fillers help maintain a moist wound environment and manage exudate. Fillers are available in various presentations, such as creams, gels, ointments, foams, pastes, powders, pads, pillows, beads, and strands. Many antimicrobial wound fillers are time-released, which helps extend the time between dressing changes.

Scar Treatment Gels, Creams, and Silicone Sheets

Proper wound care should maintain optimal skin moisture levels to help promote seamless healing of the injured skin.

Topical scar treatment products, which include creams, gels, and silicone gel sheets that cover cuts and surgical incisions, contain medical-strength ingredients that penetrate deep within the skin, promoting healing and skin regeneration.

Wound care supplies help prevent infections and speed up the healing process in patients. Therefore, access to quality and affordable wound care supplies is critical to the success of any medical facility.

Disclaimer

This site does not provide medical or prescription drug advice. All information posted on this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. IVRX does not guarantee or warrant the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of the information published on its blog and will not be held responsible for the content of any blog publication or the use given to the information.