hope you don't mind me asking since its not disney related

[Ali and boyz]

but does anyone know about or tried the Biopatch Antimicrobial Dressings. the are new here in the UK and seem very expensive but seem to be more sold inthe USA. I was wondering if anybody had tried them before I go wasting a lot of money.

 

[eternaldisneyfan]

I use antimicrobial dressings when my port is accessed, on my trach, and g tube. The dressings help prevent microorganisms from growing and protect against more germs. They help prevent infection and irritation. For a couple years I could only use antimicrobial gauze on my g-tube. If you have a problem with irritation or infection-I would try it.


Christamae

 

[SueM in MN]

We have used the Biopatch dressings on all PICC and Central lines at the hospital system where I work for about a year. The home care part of our system has used them for about 2-3 years.
There was a bit of a learning curve to use them - the company has made some changes in the product because people were putting them on upside down or over the top of the catheter (the catheter is supposed to come thru a slit in the dressing so the dressing sits flat - the antimicrobial part doesn't do much good if it's not in contact with the skin). After the initial change, we did see a decrease in both site (skin around where the catheter goes in) and bloodstream infections.

Our system elected so far to use them only on central venous access lines, but we are looking at other lines too. The cost may make it not feasible to use for other applications or there are other possible concerns. We have looked at them for dialysis lines, but the renal specialists have some concern that the antimicrobial agent in them (chlorhexidine gluconate) might make dialysis catheters brittle - not a problem with most PICCs or regular central lines and the company is advocating them for dialysis catheters.

For anyone who is wondering what this discussion is about, here's a link to the Johnson & Johnson "portal page" into Biopatch. It is meant for health professional, not meant for consumers, so I don't guarantee it's easy to read. The best thing would be to get some information and then discuss the risks/costs/benefits with your doctor or a wound care specialist. Where are you thinking to use it?

 

[Ali and boyz]

the spinal unit recomended it for our DS who had a Supra cathetar and he keeps getting infections. thing is they are expensive as in if you shower like he does you need one every day . I am waiting on J & J getting back to me here in the UK but as we are going to florida in july I thought I would see what you all thought and I could get some when we were out

 

[SueM in MN]

the spinal unit recomended it for our DS who had a Supra cathetar and he keeps getting infections. thing is they are expensive as in if you shower like he does you need one every day . I am waiting on J & J getting back to me here in the UK but as we are going to florida in july I thought I would see what you all thought and I could get some when we were out

First of all, you won't find them in a Pharmacy shelf in the US. They are specialty items that patients would likely special order from the Pharmacy.

I am not aware of any studies using Biopatch with Suprapubic catheters (I am an infection control person, so it would be something I would be interested in). Not having studies doesn't mean it wouldn't be useful, just that no one can tell you how much of a decrease in infections there is likely to be. The Biopatch is too expensive for to use routinely for catheters like that, but it makes sense for someone like your DS who is having frequent infections.

The dressing actually has 2 parts - one is the Biopatch itself, which looks like a little foam doughnut about an inch and 1/4 across. The Biopatch would be pretty easy to put on at a Suprapubic site because the area where the catheter comes out is flat and you can see what you are doing.

The other part of the dressing is a transparent film dressing. Those types of dressings are water resistant and designed to remain in place for up to 7 days. One of the advantages of transparent film dressings is that it is possible to shower with them in place (but go by what you are told).
Biopatch dressings are left in place for up to 7 days on things like PICC lines and Hickman catheters (but go by what you are told). The dressings are too expensive to change daily, plus taking the transparent film dressing off each day would be very hard on the skin. It is very sticky and takes some instruction and practice to put on and take off, so it's not something you could just buy and be able to use. When J&J gets back to you, they should be able to provide some information about the frequency of change for your DS's catheter and also some info re: how to apply and remove it.

 

[eternaldisneyfan]

Oops-I don't use the biopatch dressings. I use antimicrobial split gauze. I am sure it's a lot less expensive then the biopatch...


Christamae

 

[skoopman]

DD has been using the Biopatch since her central line was inserted a year ago. She also had one on her PICC line for a month. We use the Biopatch and cover it with a special hypoallergenic tape since she reacts to anything else. I can't tell you how expensive it is since the insurance has picked up that portion of the tab.
Suzanne

 

[Ali and boyz]

Oops-I don't use the biopatch dressings. I use antimicrobial split gauze. I am sure it's a lot less expensive then the biopatch...


Christamae

will go and have a look at that, thanks Christmame

 

[SueM in MN]

One type of antimicrobial dressing to look into is silver ion dressings. I've seen some really good studies about those kind of dressings and with the silver, there is not a potential problem with the bacteria getting resistant to the antibiotics (which is a theoretical risk with some of the other antimicrobials).