This 3-part series has reviewed the financial impact of SSIs and emerging trends in SSI prevention. It is well accepted that hospital-acquired infection (HAI) after surgery or insertion of a device increases morbidity, mortality, and costs of care for patients and hospitals. Emerging trends in SSI prevention include antimicrobial dressings, with the purpose of protecting the wound, promoting an optimal healing environment, and reducing the risk for potential microbial growth under the dressing.¹

One such dressing, the ReliaTect^® Post-Op Dressing with CHG, was recently introduced by Eloquest Healthcare. ReliaTect is a sterile postoperative dressing consisting of a polyurethane film coated with a transparent, absorptive adhesive containing chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG).

A recent Evidence-Based White Paper presents compelling data, which reveals that up to 60% of SSIs are preventable and are penalized in the Value-Based Purchasing and Hospital-Acquired Condition Reduction Programs by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).² The CMS has selected for non-reimbursement conditions that are reasonably preventable costly to manage.

In a continuing effort to prevent hospital-acquired infections in surgical wounds and wounds caused by device insertion, the use of antiseptic skin dressings has been shown to help reduce regrowth of bacteria on the skin.³ Postoperative dressings have been shown to help protect the wound against infection⁴, and many of the newer types of dressing incorporate antimicrobial agents in effort to achieve this goal.

While Staphylococcus, a gram-positive bacteria, is considered to be the major pathogen in SSIs, other pathogens—both gram-positive and gram-negative—are frequently found in wounds. This suggests that the antimicrobial choice should include coverage of both bacteria.⁵

The White Paper delineates some important differences of 2 commonly used antimicrobial agents included in antiseptic dressings—silver-based products and CHG. Clinical evidence is presented that demonstrates conflicting data about silver’s efficacy, in addition to multiple studies that show CHG to be an effective antiseptic. Read details here.

A detailed description of the ReliaTect^® Post-Op Dressing with CHG is also provided, along with the corresponding data. ReliaTect was designed to provide many of the attributes of what many consider to be an ideal postoperative dressing. ReliaTect uniquely integrates the antimicrobial properties of CHG, absorbency and transparency.

ReliaTect is offered in 2 sizes to accommodate different surgical wound sizes: 8 cm x 15 cm (3.2 in x 5.9 in) and 10 cm x 25 cm (3.9 in x 9.8 in).

Download the full version of the Evidence-Based White Paper. For more information about ReliaTect, please contact your sales consultant or Eloquest Healthcare^®, Inc., call 1-877-433-7626 or visit www.eloquesthealthcare.com.

Minimizing infection risk is an essential part of optimizing “The Triple Aim” of the Affordable Care Act. Eloquest Healthcare is committed to providing solutions that can help you reduce this risk.

Watch for our next blog series coming soon.

References: 1. Edmiston Jr CE, et al. An incision closure bundle for colorectal surgery. AORN Journal. 2018;107(5):553-565. 2. Ban KA, Minei JP, Laronga C, et al. American College of Surgeons and Surgical Infection Society: Surgical site infection guidelines, 2016 update. J Am Coll Surg. 2017;1:59-74. 3. Bashir MH, Olson LK, Walters SA. Suppression of regrowth of normal skin flora under chlorhexidine gluconate dressings applied to chlorhexidine gluconate-prepped skin. Am J Infect Control, 2012;40(4), 344-348. 4. Abboud EC, Settle JC, Legare TB, Marcet JE, Barillo DJ, Sanchez JE. Silver-based dressings for the reduction of surgical site infection: review of current experience and recommendation for future studies. Burns. 2014;40 Suppl 1, S30-S39. 5. Data on file. Avery Dennison Corporation.