Profore Lite Multi-Layer Compression Bandage Dressing System, Smith & Nephew

Description

PROFORE Lite is a multi-layer, reduced-compression bandage system. Profore Lite is best used on ankle circumferences greater than 18cm or 7¼ inches (padded).

Features

Each PROFORE Lite Multi-Layer Compression Bandage System pack contains the following:

• One PROFORE WCL -- Sterile Wound Contact Layer -- helps protect the wound site and help wick away exudate into the absorbent padding.
• One PROFORE #1 absorbent padding bandage -- helps absorb exudate and helps protect bony prominences.
• One PROFORE #2 light conformable bandage -- helps absorb exudate and helps prepare and sculpt the leg for the application of the pressure layers.
• One PROFORE #4 cohesive compression bandage -- helps maintain continuous compression and keeps the system in place for up to a full week.

Benefits

Effective Compression
The PROFORE Lite system is designed to deliver effective compression to successfully manage “mixed” aetiology leg ulcers. It may also be used to manage venous ulcers in patients with ABPIs between 0.6 and 0.8 who cannot tolerate the full compression of standard PROFORE or PROFORE LF.

Graduated Compression
PROFORE Lite provides higher pressure at the ankle, with decreasing pressure exhibited at the calf to help improve upward blood flow.

Sustained Compression
For up to a full week after application, the PROFORE Lite system maintains effective levels of compression.

Safety
The PROFORE Lite system helps ensure that bony prominences are padded for protection. The multi-layer system means that compression is built up gradually, thus minimizing the danger of application error.

Extended Weartime
PROFORE Lite has sufficient absorptive capacity to manage exudate for up to a full week without the need for reapplication. During the initial phase of therapy you may experience increased wound drainage as the compression system actively manages the edema. If strike through happens, remove the PROFORE Lite system and apply another.

Cost-Effective
Weekly dressing changes reduce nursing time and therefore help reduce costs associated with the management of venous leg ulcers.

Convenient
PROFORE Lite system contains everything necessary for the application of effective, sustained, graduated compression therapy. PROFORE Lite reduces preparation time, simplifies stock control and ensures that the correct components are always available.

Indications

PROFORE Lite Multi-Layer Compression Bandage System is indicated for the management of "mixed" aetiology leg ulcers, where assessment has identified that the patient has some degree of arterial impairment which prevents the use of full compression (ABPI < 0.6).

Contraindications / Precautions

Contraindications
PROFORE Lite should not be used on patients with an Ankle Brachial Pressure Index (ABPI) of less than 0.6, or on diabetic patients with advanced small vessel disease.

Precautions
Should the patient develop pain or pale, cool or numb extremities distal to the dressing, the bandages should be promptly removed.

Patients with a low ABPI and symptoms of arterial disease should be seen by a vascular specialist before application of compression.

Care should be taken that very thin, bony, legs or legs with a prominent tibial crest should be protected with extra padding. The pressure under the bandage could bruise and harm unprotected / unpadded skin especially over bony parts of the leg.

Compression bandaging to a leg which already has a partially blocked blood supply could completely stop the flow of blood into the leg and lead to the death of skin and muscle of the leg. Death of the muscle and skin of the leg could lead to further complications and possibly amputation of the leg.

Instructions for Use:

Step 1

It is important to check the following

Wash and dry the leg and apply a moisturizing cream to the unbroken skin.

Step 1a

Apply the PROFORE WCL dressing.

Apply the PROFORE WCL sterile wound contact layer directly over the wound surface. If the wound is larger than the contact dressing, PROFORE WCL dressings may be purchased separately. The contact dressing will not stick to the surface of the wound, and when the wound begins draining after compression is applied, the drainage will pass through the contact dressing to be absorbed by the padding layer.

Step 2

Apply PROFORE #1 Absorbent Padding Bandage.

With the foot flexed to 90 degrees, apply from the base of the toes to the knee using a simple spiral technique and 50% overlap. Do not apply tension. Ensure that bony prominences are padded so that the ankle measurement is greater than 18 cm or 7-1/4 inches. Any leftover padding may be applied directly over the wound to absorb more wound drainage.

Step 3

Apply PROFORE #2 Light Conforming Bandage

Keeping the foot flexed to 90 degrees, apply PROFORE #2 from the base of the toes to the knee using a simple spiral technique and 50% overlap. Ensure that the heel is completely covered. Secure at the top with a piece of tape or ask the patient to hold it in place.

Step 4

Apply PROFORE #4 Cohesive Compression Bandage.

Keeping the foot flexed to 90 degrees, apply PROFORE #4 from the base of the toes to the knee using a simple spiral technique with 50% overlap and 50% extension. Ensure that the heel is completely covered. PROFORE #4 will adhere to itself and no tape is necessary to keep it in place. However, for added security, a piece of tape may be used for reinforcement.

Please see Description tab for Contraindications/Precautions

CAUTION: Before applying the first bandage, it is important to check the following:

• Assess the patient to rule out arterial disease. The use of Doppler ultrasound is recommended.
• Measure the ankle circumference to confirm that it is greater than 18 cm or 7-1/4 inches (padded).
• Check if the patient's ankle circumference has changed due to a reduction in edema. Always re-measure after the initial treatment period.
• Assess the patient's limb for bony prominences or calf fibrosis. Ensure that these are well-protected using the PROFORE Lite #1 padding bandage.