Alginate dressings

[MJJnurse]

Hi guys, I'm home health and currently have a stage 3 sacral pressure ulcer. I'm packing with silver alginate 3xwk. When I remove it is like a firm little wet ball. Is this normal? Any advice would be good. Thank you.

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Hi guys, I'm home health and currently have a stage 3 sacral pressure ulcer. I'm packing with silver alginate 3xwk. When I remove it is like a firm little wet ball. Is this normal? Any advice would be good. Thank you.

Yep, this is normal intended action. Purpose of alginate is to protect wound bed for healing, wick extra wound drainage preventing maceration, allow every 2-3 day dressing change.

The Wonder of Calcium Alginate

calcium alginate is more commonly thought of as the dressing that can absorb 20 times its weight in exudate, soak up loose debris from the wound bed, provide an optimal environment for healing, and provide a painless dressing change.

If your agency has a wound ostomy nurse, ask to spend a day with them to increase your knowledge base.