Ultra-absorptive dressings derived from seaweed to manage extreme drainage and bleeding.
Healix360 supports access to advanced mobile wound care services for patients throughout our coverage area. Services are delivered by licensed physicians and nurse practitioners experienced in the evaluation and management of chronic and complex wounds. Care is coordinated and provided directly to patients in private residences, assisted living communities, and skilled nursing facilities. When the dry alginate fibers come into contact with sodium-rich wound exudate or blood, a chemical ion exchange occurs. The calcium in the dressing swaps with the sodium in the fluid, transforming the dry fibers into a cohesive, structural gel. This gel perfectly contours to the dead spaces of a deep wound, traps bacteria within its matrix, and releases calcium ions which naturally act as a hemostatic agent to stop minor bleeding.
A licensed clinician determines whether this treatment is appropriate after evaluating the wound and the patient's medical history.
Treatment decisions are individualized. Potential contraindications and precautions may include:
The clinician will loosely pack the dry fibrous rope or sheet into the cavity of your wound. It will be covered with a secondary dressing like foam. When it is time for a dressing change, the alginate will have turned into a soft, gel-like substance that can usually be easily lifted or rinsed out of the wound without causing any pain or bleeding.
A wide body of literature confirms that alginates and hydrofibers are superior to gauze for packing deep wounds. Their ability to gel ensures they do not dry out and adhere to the wound bed, minimizing pain during changes and effectively controlling local minor hemorrhage.
Yes. Calcium alginate is derived from the cell walls of specific species of brown seaweed. This natural compound has been scientifically refined to provide exceptional fluid management and wound healing properties.
Deep wounds must heal from the bottom up. If the top closes too quickly, it creates an abscess. Loosely packing the cavity with alginate rope manages the fluid at the base of the wound and forces it to heal correctly from the inside out.
As the alginate interacts with blood, it releases calcium ions directly into the wound bed. Calcium is a critical component of the body's natural blood clotting cascade, helping to quickly stabilize minor bleeding.
Occasionally, small amounts of the gelled fiber may remain in the wound bed. However, because it is biocompatible and biodegradable, it is safely broken down by the body or easily flushed out with sterile saline during the next visit.
Yes. In fact, as the fluid is absorbed into the fibers, bacteria are trapped within the gel matrix and removed during the dressing change. Furthermore, many alginates are available combined with antimicrobial silver for active infection control.
Call 877-545-1300 or request a provider to begin care. Healix360 serves Southern California and Nevada and accepts Medicare Part B and most major insurance plans.