Alginate fibres are biodegradable 1 therefore any residual fibres that remain after a dressing change pose no risk to patient safety.
Calcium alginate rope for packing.
An alginate wound dressing contains sodium and calcium derived from seaweed and come in the form of flat dressings.
The order is to irrigate with wound cleanser pack with calcium alginate rope and cover with c d d once daily and prn.
Since this is still my first year as an rn i m still learning and my question is this.
Alginate fibres typically as a calcium salt interact with the wound exudates to form a moist gel as a result of the ion exchange between the calcium ions in the fibre and the sodium ions in the exudates.
I have not been soaking it before packing.
Does the calcium alginate rope need to be soaked in nss before packing.
Activheal alginate fibres are naturally haemostatic.
Alginate dressings are absorbent wound care products that contain sodium and calcium fibers derived from seaweed.
Non woven or fibrous non occlusive alginate dressings made from calcium alginate or calcium sodium alginate derived from brown seaweed form a soft gel in contact with wound exudate.
15 the gel forming property of alginate eliminates fibre entrapment in the wound and helps in removing the dressing without much trauma.
Following absorption of wound exudate the alginate dressing releases calcium ions into the wound which can activate platelets to control minor bleeding 2.