D.I.M.E.S.

For wounds with the ability to heal, adequate and repeated debridement is an important first step in removing necrotic tissue. Debridement may also help healing by removing both senescent cells that are no longer capable of normal cellular activities and biofilms that shield the bacterial colonies.¹ Autolysis uses the body's own enzymes and moisture to re-hydrate and soften hard eschar or slough. Autolytic debridement can be achieved with the use of dressings in contact with the necrotic tissue that maintain a moist wound environment.

TenderWet®

All chronic wounds contain bacteria.The level of bacterial damage may include contamination (organisms present), colonization (organisms present and may cause surface damage if critically colonized) or infection (deep and surrounding skin damage).There are many antimicrobial products available, and no one product is going to be right for all patients. Clinicians need to match appropriate product characteristics with the clinical features of the wound bed.¹

Arglaes®
Maxorb® Extra Ag
Optifoam® Ag
SilvaSorb®

Achieving moisture balance is a delicate act. Cells and the various cellular signals all need the right amount of moisture to move across the wound bed. Too much moisture can damage the surrounding skin, leading to periwound maceration and skin breakdown. Conversely, too little moisture in the wound environment can impede cellular activities and promote eschar formation, resulting in poor wound healing.¹

Derma-Gel®
Exuderm OdorShield™
Maxorb®
ExtraOptifoam®
Skintegrity®
Suresite®

If the wound edge is not migrating after appropriate wound bed preparation (debridement, infection/inflammation, moisture balance) and healing is stalled, then advanced therapies should be considered.¹

Puracol® Plus
Puracol® Plus Ag

There are other products that complement DIMES, but do not fit into one of these immediate categories. Therefore, always consider the "other" supportive products to complete the treatment.

Bordered Gauze
FourFlex
Gentac™
Medfix
Medigrip
Skintegrity®
Stratasorb®
Sureprep® No-Sting
Three-Flex

Additionally, supportive services (i.e. nutritional therapy) and education are paramount to achieving the best possible outcome.¹


Educare Hotline
Educare Seminars
Educational Packaging
Medline University
Product Specialists
Classification of Tissue Destruction