Innovative adaption guide shows frontline workers how to adapt dressing for PPE use.
Hudson, OHIO – April 16, 2020: GEMCO Medical, a leading medical supply wholesaler and third-party logistics provider of innovative diabetes supplies and other medical products, announced today the adaption of its GEMCORE360º Silicone Lite Foam Wound Dressing to help provide a layer of facial protection to healthcare workers who are wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) for long periods of time. In addition, to locally support COVID-19 efforts, GEMCO Medical is donating 8,000 pieces with adaption guides to University Hospitals and the Cleveland Clinic.
In the fight against COVID-19, many healthcare workers are experiencing friction injuries and skin breakdown from continuous use of PPE, such as goggles and face masks. Bruising and skin reactions can occur as a result of sustained pressure, tension and friction forces, as well as from the moist environment created with PPE.
The GEMCORE360º Brand of Advanced Wound Care Dressings are designed to support healing all phases of acute and chronic wound environments. However, for this particular application, the Silicone Lite Foam Dressing makes the ideal interface between facial skin and the PPE as it is comprised of a thin hydrophilic soft foam with a flexible, breathable backing. Traditionally used to help heal stubborn wounds, GEMCORE360º Silicone Lite Foam Dressing can stay on the skin for days without risk of skin maceration, provides soft cushioning between the PPE and face, and is engineered for gentle, easy removal. Visit http://www.gemcore360.com/dressing-guide/ to download a copy of the guide.
A Singapore study conducted during the SARS outbreak in the early 2000s found that those who developed skin reactions while wearing N95 masks were wearing the masks for an average duration of 8 hours per day.1 In a more recent article published in the Journal of Tissue, protecting a healthcare professional’s skin is paramount as skin injuries under the mask could be an entry point for coronavirus, as well as other bacterial, viral or fungal infections acquired in hospitals.2
1 Foo, C.C.I., Goon, A.T.J., Leow, Y.H. and Goh, C.L., 2006. Adverse skin reactions to personal protective equipment against severe acute respiratory syndrome–a descriptive study in Singapore. Contact dermatitis, 55(5), pp.291-294.
2 Alves, P; Moura, A.; Vaz, A.; Ferreira, A.; Malcato, E.; Mota, F.; Afonso, G.; Ramos, P.; Dias, V.; Homem-Silva, P. PREPI | COVID19 Prevention of skin lesions caused by Personal Protective Equipment (Face masks, respirators, visors and protection glasses). Journal of Tissue Healing and Regeneration 2020. Suplemento da edição Outubro/Março XV.