Study Shows Barrier Wipe Protects Skin Better During Adhesive Tape Removal

Medline Industries, Inc. today announced the results of a clinical study demonstrating that the company's Sureprep No-sting Alcohol-Free Protective Barrier Wipe provides better security against adhesive-derived skin trauma than solvent-containing formulations. The randomized controlled study, recently published in the International Wound Journal, is the first comparison between solvent-free and solvent-containing no-sting barrier formulations as a skin protectant against tape stripping.

The study examined the use of Medline's Sureprep No-Sting solvent-free formulation and a solvent-containing formulation on the skin of 12 healthy volunteers aged 18 to 55 years. Treatments were applied at baseline to two of the four test sites on the back of each subject and repeated for five days. The study found that the solvent-free formulation product provided significantly greater protection against the skin surface trauma that comes as a result of the repeated application and removal of adhesive tapes and dressings.

"Maintenance of healthy intact skin is a constant challenge to healthcare professionals caring for skin that is repeatedly exposed to adhesive tape trauma," said study co-author Debashish Chakravarthy, PhD, FAPWCA, vice president of technology for Medline Advanced Skin and Wound Care. "Those treated with the Sureprep barrier film had lower mean scores for erythema, lower values for transepidermal water loss and redness than the no treatment control or solvent-containing formulation."

Trauma to the skin from repeated removal of intravenous site dressings, wound dressings, ostomy appliances and other adhesive-based medical products can cause pain, anxiety, risk of secondary infections and additional healthcare costs. Skin barrier products are used to coat the skin with a protective film (polymer blends) to help prevent the chances of tension blisters and skin tears, especially to the fragile skin of the elderly. In fact, a study conducted by the Patient Safety Authority, an independent state agency in Pennsylvania, found that patients age 65 and older accounted for 88 percent of all reported skin tears.

"These findings are of particular significance to elderly populations because a high number of these more fragile patients experience these painful skin tear wounds," noted Shannon.  "It is possible that the differences observed in this study will be amplified on real life patient skin that is more fragile than the robust skin in our study volunteers."

Made of a patented blend of polymers that forms a clear, non-oily protective film when applied to a patient's skin, the Sureprep No-Sting protective barrier is dispersed in a noncytotoxic water-based solution that allows pain-free application on intact or damaged skin. The quick-drying solution leaves a transparent, long-lasting waterproof coating on the skin to help prevent adhesive trauma and irritation from bodily fluids, incontinence or wound exudates.

Source: Medline Industries, Inc.