Self-adaptive wound care can reduce LTC costs

In treating 1,168 wounds, including diabetic ulcers, chronic wounds and pressure ulcers, the center saw overall cost reductions of over 30 percent when using Enluxtra's"Any Wound" dressing, according to the study.

Researchers also noted that there was a 70 percent reduction in primary wound dressing inventory because the moderately priced self-adaptive wound dressing (SAWD) can replace a wide range of dressings used in long-term care facilities, including primary foam, alginate, hydro- and hydro-conductive fiber, super-absorbent collagen, hydrocolloid, hydrogel, gauze, and even dressings containing silver compounds.

As an example of a "smart" wound-care dressing, the Enluxtra SAWD dressing uses self-adjusting technology that senses which parts of a wound need hydration or absorption and adjusts the conditions to achieve and maintain the optimum moisture balance for proper healing.