Authors

  1. Hess, Cathy Thomas BSN, RN, CWOCN

Article Content

A snapshot of the products you may use in practice.

 

COMPOSITE DRESSINGS

Action

Composite dressings combine 2 or more physiologically distinct products and are manufactured as a single dressing with several functions. Features must include a bacterial barrier; an absorptive layer other than an alginate, foam, hydrocolloid, or hydrogel; a semiadherent or nonadherent property for covering the wound; and an adhesive border.

 

Indications

FIGURE

  
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Composite dressings may be used as primary or secondary dressings for partial and full-thickness wounds with minimal to heavy exudate, healthy granulation tissue, or necrotic tissue (slough or moist eschar) or mixed wounds (granulation and necrotic tissue).

 

Advantages

 

* May facilitate autolytic debridement

 

* Allow for exchange of moisture vapor

 

* Mold well

 

* May be used on infected wounds

 

* Easy to apply and remove

 

* Include an adhesive border

 

Disadvantages

 

* Require a border of intact skin for anchoring the dressing

 

Source: Hess CT. Clinical Guide: Wound Care. Fourth Edition. Springhouse, PA: Springhouse Corporation; 2002.