Granulex, afraid I messed up!

[Jo Dirt]

I was given orders that read "pressure sores, apply occlusive dressing 3 x weekly until healed." So I went on the first visit to this woman's house Friday afternoon. She is diabetic and has two open places on her coccyx, one is a little smaller than a quarter, the other is smaller than a dime. The lady gives me a can of granulex and says the doctor told her to "put that on it." I haven't worked with granulex extensively, but I didn't know you could put it on open wounds? She insisted I put a granulex soak on her bottom. So I did and sealed it up. I told her if it burned to take it off. Called her to check up on her and she tells me everything is great....please advise.

[suebird3]

Ack! Seeing as your patient is a Diabetic, I would notify the MD of the wound size, location, and (tactfully) how she heard the orders.

I have used Granulex for reddened areas, but open areas? Nah....have used Critic Aide lately.

Suebird

[crb613, BSN, RN]

I had a pt the other day after his stitches were removed......his wound popped open. We did w/d, & taught his wife how to do them. He is a horse man, & told me when I get home I am going to use Granulex on this. I advised him to ask his doctor before he did this.....he replied... no need I know it works I have used it for years!

[englishrose]

I was given orders that read "pressure sores, apply occlusive dressing 3 x weekly until healed." So I went on the first visit to this woman's house Friday afternoon. She is diabetic and has two open places on her coccyx, one is a little smaller than a quarter, the other is smaller than a dime. The lady gives me a can of granulex and says the doctor told her to "put that on it." I haven't worked with granulex extensively, but I didn't know you could put it on open wounds? She insisted I put a granulex soak on her bottom. So I did and sealed it up. I told her if it burned to take it off. Called her to check up on her and she tells me everything is great....please advise.

We had used Granulex a long time ago for skin prevention on stage I pressure ulcers. I recently had a spinal cord patient that was ordered Xenaderm, which is a similar product as Granulex..both have the same ingredients..what they product does is 3 things: provides protection, moisturizes the skin and debrides. Xenaderm can be used on pressure ulcers and radiation burns. It cost about $30.00 as compare to Granulex which is about $6.00. There are several articles on Xenaderm and partial-thickness ulcers that you might want to look at. Both products work well if one follows the literatures instructions. In any product we use on wounds, we need to fully assess the patient and that particular wound site.

[sharlynn]

Granulex states it can be used up to Stage IV right on the can. Xenaderm is the ointment form of Granulex. I didn't realize there was such a difference in cost though!

[smoo]

Granulex states it can be used up to Stage IV right on the can. Xenaderm is the ointment form of Granulex. I didn't realize there was such a difference in cost though!

And made by different companies. The Xenaderm, Panafil, and Accuzyme guys that come in tell us all the time that granulex is an "old time" tx to use and Xenaderm or the others depending on the area are much better. Personally I love Granulex for eschar on heels, until it falls off, then I love Xenaderm, and like Xen for preventative or stage I, Panafil and Accuzyme are wonderful for II and above, in my opinion

[englishrose]

I agree with both of you, either one is good to use depending on how much your facility is willing to pay. Both products have the same qualities...their debride, moisturizer and protect the skin. The other thing is trial and error, if it doesnt work then you know not to use it...you also have to look at what is going on with the patient's nutritional status, labs and his medical hx...everything has to have a balance for good wound healing.