KCI Prevena(TM) Incision Management System licensed by Health Canada
Designed to Help Manage Patients' Incisions Successfully Following Surgery
MISSISSAUGA, ON, June 22 /CNW/ - Kinetic Concepts, Inc. (KCI), today announced the introduction of the new Prevena(TM) Incision Management System in Canada. Recently licensed by Health Canada to help reduce the risk of postoperative complications, such as infections, the Prevena(TM) System is the first and only powered negative pressure product designed specifically for surgically closed incisions.
The availability of this revolutionary technology comes at a time for Canadians when the rate of surgeries is increasing and the prevalence of 'superbugs' in hospitals is a growing concern.
According to the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, approximately 50,000 Canadians each year develop a surgical site infection (SSI) following surgery. Patients who develop SSIs are also five times more likely to be readmitted to the hospital, causing an unnecessary drain on already scarce healthcare resources. Ministries across the country have begun to recognize the impact SSIs are having on the healthcare system. In fact, Ontario has now initiated a public reporting of hospital SSI rates to highlight the problem to the general public.
"Advancements in wound care management like the Prevena(TM) Incision Management System are key to providing patients with additional protection from potentially serious infections. This is especially true for those patients with co-morbid conditions who are at increased risk," says Dr. Mac Quantz, Cardiovascular Surgeon, London Health Sciences Centre. "It is also important to recognize the positive impact these new technologies will have on the overall healthcare system. Reducing the time a patient spends in hospital has the potential to translate into savings for the system."
The Prevena(TM) Incision Management System manages the environment of closed surgical incisions and surrounding intact skin. The system was designed to help hold incision edges together and to remove fluids and infectious materials from the surgical site; it also protects the incision site from external contamination. It includes a single peel and place dressing, worn for the duration of therapy, which conforms to patient contours. It also includes a single patient use, battery-powered therapy unit and canister.
The Prevena(TM) System is intended for use over clean, closed incisions to manage the post-surgical environment and to help reduce the likelihood of post-operative complications. There are a number of issues that can arise following surgery. These include surgical-site infections (SSIs), dehiscence, hematoma and seroma.
"My actual hip-replacement surgery was enough for me to worry about, let alone the potential issues that could arise after the procedure," says Prevena patient, Michael Rocco. "Once I was treated with the Prevena(TM) System, my recovery was very quick and without any complications, allowing me to return home to my family."
KCI's continued investment in research and development of new technologies will continue to provide Canadian patients with innovative medical products like the Prevena(TM) Incision Management System that promote wound healing and successful outcomes.
Individual patient results may vary and are not indicative of all outcomes. Patients should consult their surgeons to determine whether use of Prevena(TM) Therapy following surgery is right for them.
For more information, please visit: www.kci1.com.
Safety Information
Follow local institutional protocols for infection control and waste disposal procedures. Local protocols should be based on the applicable local government environmental regulations.
NOTE: Specific indications, warnings, precautions and safety information exist for the Prevena(TM) Incision Management System. Please consult a physician and product instructions for use prior to application.
About KCI
Kinetic Concepts, Inc. is a leading global medical technology company devoted to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of innovative, high-technology therapies and products for the wound care, tissue regeneration and therapeutic support system markets.
Headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, KCI's success spans more than three decades and can be traced to a history deeply rooted in innovation and a passion for significantly improving the healing and the lives of patients around the world.
The Company employs 6,800 people and markets its products in 20 countries. For more information about KCI, and how its products are changing the practice of medicine, visit www.KCI1.com
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding management's estimated market size for procedures eligible for use with Prevena(TM) as well as KCI's expectations for product performance and plans for future product developments and introductions. Forward-looking statements may contain words such as believes, expects, anticipates, estimates, projects, intends, should, seeks, future, continue, or the negative of such terms, or other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that are difficult to predict and that could cause actual results to vary materially from those expressed in or indicated by them. In particular, our ability to recognize increased sales and profitability from our Prevena(TM) Incision Management System products is subject to all the risks associated with the commercialization of new products based on innovative technologies, including unanticipated technical problems, manufacturing difficulties, gaining customer acceptance and other factors beyond our control. Additional risks and factors are identified in KCI's filings with the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission (the SEC), including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2009, and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 30, 2010, which are available on the SEC's Web site at http://www.sec.gov. KCI undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement, or to make any other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
All trademarks designated herein are proprietary to KCI Licensing, Inc. its affiliates and/or licensors.
For further information: Ethan Pigott, RightMind Communications, [email protected], (416) 558-2783
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