Kimberly-Clark Health Care Launches InteguSeal Microbial Sealant

ROSWELL, Ga. -- Kimberly-Clark Corporations healthcare business announces that it has launched an innovative microbial barrier designed to reduce the risk of skin flora contamination during a surgical procedure. KIMBERLY-CLARK* InteguSeal* Microbial Sealant uses a proprietary formulation to seal and immobilize pathogens to help protect against migration into the incision. Kimberly-Clark* InteguSeal* Microbial Sealant has been CE marked for sale in the EU, cleared for sale in other geographies and is currently under review for market clearance in the United States.   

 The launch of this innovative product demonstrates further progress on Kimberly-Clarks targeted growth initiatives announced last summer. As part of these initiatives, Kimberly-Clark outlined its commitment to providing clinical solutions within four major areas: healthcare-associated infections, surgical solutions, digestive health, and pain management. 

Kimberly-Clark* InteguSeal* Microbial Sealant further enhances our position as a leading global provider of innovative and technologically advanced medical devices, and enables us to execute our strategy of expanding our presence in the operating room with a platform of solutions for infection control, said Joanne Bauer, president of Kimberly-Clark Health Care.

 It is generally accepted that wound contamination by the patients endogenous skin flora is a key factor in the development of surgical site infection (SSI) and absolute skin sterilization prior to surgery is not possible.(1) Despite highly refined surgical techniques, increased awareness of the need for sterility and the use of preventive antibiotics, infection at the surgical site remains an issue of concern.(2)

Currently, 2 percent to 5 percent of patients undergoing surgery are at risk from SSIs, a major source of morbidity following operative procedures.(3) Compared with uninfected patients, those with SSIs remain in hospitals seven days longer, have a 60 percent increased probability of admittance to intensive care units, are five times more likely to return for continued care within 30 days of discharge and have double the mortality rate.  Such additional treatment is approximated to cost health organizations worldwide in excess of £2000 per SSI, increasing healthcare costs by more than 300 percent per patient.(4)

The appropriate use of medical products during surgical procedures can positively impact patient outcomes which is why we are laser focused on introducing clinical solutions that help to support our customers healing mission, said Bauer.

 Kimberly-Clark* InteguSeal* Microbial Sealant has a unique mechanism of action that does not promote bacterial resistance and does not need to be removed for suture or closure. Easy to apply and fast-drying, Kimberly-Clark* InteguSeal* Microbial Sealant can be used with a variety of patient skin preparation treatments and surgical products such as electrocautery, sutures, staples and wound adhesives.  The versatile film bonds to skin surfaces with different curvature, hair-content or amount or types of flora present. 

References:

1.Hagen KS, Treston-Aurand, J. A comparison of two skin preps used in cardiac surgical procedures. AORN J 1995. 62(3):393-402.

2. Fry DE. Surgical Site Infection: Pathogenesis and Prevention. www.Medscape.com; accessed Aug 3, 2005.

3. Surgical Site Infections; Case For Improvement.  IHI.org (Institute of Healthcare Improvement)

4. Barnard B. (2003) Prevention of Surgical Site Infections, Infection Control Today. http://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/articles/341bpract.html

Source: Kimberly-Clark Health Care