Wound care products Resources

Viscopaste and Ichthopaste bandages have been available in the wound care dressings market since the 1950s and 1930s respectively and are widely used within their clinical indications, primarily in lower limb management to treat leg ulcerations and the skin conditions associated with a leg ulcer. The products are commonly used within dermatology to manage chronic lichenified (thick and leathery) skin conditions, such as atopic eczema and dermatitis. Recently, Viscopaste and Ichthopaste bandages have been utilised in the management of skin conditions related to chronic oedema, for the treatment of patients with a diagnosis of red leg syndrome, which is often misdiagnosed as cellulitis  (Elwell, 2014)

Currently, within the NHS there is a need to improve efficiency to maximise quality of care, patient experience and outcomes, within the constraints of a limited budget. At the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, the cost of wound care was increasing year on year, and in order to drive efficiency, procurement of dressings was switched from supply chain to ONPOS. Over a 12-month period, the use of ONPOS has resulted in 100% formulary compliance for adult community services. The number of brands of products used by the service has almost been halved, and the number of individual dressing units purchased has reduced by 36,000. Finally, cost savings are predicted for the adult community service in 19/20, after a five-year growth in costs year on year.