Category: Wound Care Blog

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SMART SEARCH – Advanced Wound Care Dressings

SMART SEARCH – Advanced Wound Care Dressings

Have you felt challenged to quickly find the right Wound Care Dressing for your needs?  If so, MEDICAL MONKS introduces a new way to make this process fast and easy!

It can be difficult and time-consuming to sift through the many choices you have in wound care dressings.  The complexity is overwhelming, even for the well-educated consumer let alone someone new to buying wound care dressings.  There are many manufacturers who produce wound care dressings each producing many families of products.  Each family has a variety of features that are continually being refined and improved resulting in even more buying options for the consumer.

To help address this complexity and confusion, the Wound Care Product Specialists at MEDICAL MONKS developed an innovative solution to this problem.  The solution is called “SMART SEARCH”.  It is a selection tool that eliminates the complexity of product selection by helping you narrow down your choices quickly through a series of easy to answer questions.  The result is a recommendation of  wound care dressings that closely fits your personal answers.

The MEDICAL MONKS team is extremely excited to launch “SMART SEARCH”.  We want to share the details on how it works and can help you.

Where can I get access to “SMART SEARCH”?

It is located on the MEDICAL MONKS website at the following link:

https://orders.mercyscb.com/smart-search/

After clicking on the link you are directed to the landing page that looks like this:

Smart Search 2500x

Simply click the “Start Questionnaire” in the Advanced Wound Care Dressings tile to begin!

Who built the Tool – Can I trust it?

“SMART SEARCH” was built using the knowledge and experience of the MEDICAL MONKS Advanced Wound Care product specialist team who have a combined wound care experience of more than 80 years!  The specialists talk to dozens of customer daily answering product questions – they have answered virtually every question about wound care products and how to use them.

Also, our team meets with manufacturer representatives and Wound Ostomy Continence Nurses (WOCN’s) on a regular basis to stay informed about the latest product enhancements and technologies.

How does it Work?

You will be asked a series of up to 5 multiple choice questions about your specific situation.  It takes on average of less than one minute to answer the questions.

The questions are:

  1. What is your wound type?
  2. What is your wound condition / appearance?
  3. What is your wound depth?
  4. What is your wound exudate level?
  5. Are there signs of infection?

 What answers do I get?

Based on your answers to the questions above, we determine (in real time) what advanced wound dressings fit your needs.   We focus on “Best Value” answers. Our Best Value is a combination of PRICE and OUTCOMES.  Some systems are better than others in terms of PRICE and OUTCOMES.

OUTCOMES are typically better for recently released products because they contain the latest features and technology users have come to expect.  Some manufacturers are more advanced and have higher quality.

After we display the best value answers, you can choose the advanced wound care dressing product and put it in your shopping cart for purchase!

We ask you to provide your email so that we can send you your answers for future reference however it is not mandatory for you to provide your email.

If you have any questions at any point in the process you can call and talk to one of our MEDICAL MONKS wound care product specialists at 844-859-9400.

When do I use the tool?

“SMART SEARCH – Advanced Wound Care Dressings” is great if you are new to buying wound care products or would like to make a possible change to the wound care products you are using or just looking for alternatives.  If you are happy with your current wound care dressings, it can be used as confirmation you are using the right dressings.

Changes to the wound site will happen over the course of time.  In addition, your body changes over time along with your activity level.  It is because of these two reasons we encourage you to come back and use the tool on a regular basis as these changes happen.  Also, we continually make updates as new products are introduced which can be as frequently as several times per year.

For more information about MEDICAL MONKS and advice on advanced wound care products please visit our website at https://www.medicalmonks.com or call us at 844-859-9400.

 

Accenture executive head shots coordinated by Cathy Powers.

About the Author

Scott Hetland is President of Medical Monks, Inc..  Medical Monks is medical supply retailer serving consumers and businesses across the United States.   Reach Scott at scott.hetland@medicalmonks.com.

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What You Need to Know to Better Manage Your Radiation Dermatitis

What You Need to Know to Better Manage Your Radiation Dermatitis

As a cancer patient undergoing radiation treatment for your condition, you may develop skin issues along the way. These skin issues can be quite painful, but that isn’t the worst of it. Without proper treatment, they can lead to secondary issues and infections that put your health at even greater risk.

It is important for you to know that radiation dermatitis is common for oncology patients undergoing radiation treatment. Nearly 3/4s of all oncology patients will receive some form of radiation therapy, according to OncoLink. Of those, nearly 95 percent will experience radiation dermatitis. Further, 87 percent of these cases will be classified as moderate to severe.

What is Radiation Dermatitis and the Skin Conditions Associated with It?

The term radiation dermatitis refers to skin conditions associated with radiation treatment for various forms of cancer. While all radiation treatments seek to limit exposure of radiation to healthy tissue, and healthy tissue is known to repair itself from limited radiation exposure, the repetitive nature of radiation treatments limits the skin’s self-healing abilities, leaving damaged skin in its wake.

Some of the types of damage associated with radiation dermatitis include:

  • Localized or patchy reddening of the skin (erythema)
  • Skin shedding (desquamation)
  • Skin fibrosis
  • Dry skin
  • Itchy skin
  • Pitting edema
  • Skin necrosis
  • Capillary dilation

 

Radiation dermatitis most commonly occurs in and around folds in the skin. This can include the areas behind the ears, under the arms, under the breast in women, abdominal folds, etc. as Wound Source describes. Wound Source notes that areas where the skin is thinner are also vulnerable. This includes the neck and forehead, among other areas.

The pain and embarrassment associated with radiation dermatitis can have a significantly negative effect on your quality of life, especially when you are already going through so much.

You may have even discontinued or made changes to your radiation therapy in order to avoid additional radiation dermatitis. This is typically not an advised decision as it leaves the cancer free to grow and worsen.

Problems and Solutions for Treating Radiation Dermatitis

Unlike so many other wounds, there are special circumstances regarding radiation dermatitis that limit the treatments that can be used to treat it. The nature of the commonly prescribed wound medications would negate some of the radiation benefits or the skin’s natural attempts to heal itself. For instance, antimicrobials that are often prescribed to treat wounds, cannot be used to treat radiation dermatitis as they will interfere with the growth of new cells.

Preventative “cheat sheet” measures to minimize the effects of radiation dermatitis include:

Since we know there is a substantial connection between receiving radiation treatment and developing radiation dermatitis between the second and third week of treatment, it is wise for you to take preventative measures to prevent, or at the very least, minimize the effect radiation dermatitis is likely to have on you, like these:

  • Wearing loose fitting clothing made of breathable fabrics.
  • Avoiding potential skin irritants such as ice packs, hot water battles, and heating pads.
  • Discontinuing the use of soaps and body washes that have heavy fragrances or harsh chemicals.
  • Avoiding rubbing your skin.
  • Skipping antibacterial soaps, scrubs, and hand sanitizers.
  • Applying sun protection liberally. Only wearing approved sunscreen products, however, and limit skin exposure to the sun.
  • Using only wound dressings without adhesives.
  • Consulting with your physician about oral and topical medications for treating the affected areas of skin and antibiotics for any skin that may be infected.

 

The above are preventative measures designed to increase comfort once symptoms of radiation dermatitis begin to set in, according to American Family Physician.

Viniferamine® Small Molecule Technology for Radiation Dermatitis

Radiation dermatitis can also be managed using Viniferamine® Small Molecule Technology and help you to restore your skin for many months following your radiation treatment. Viniferamine ® At Home™ products is specifically designed for you to apply at home.

The benefits of Viniferamine® skin care products include that they:

  • Enhance skin repair.
  • Improve the skin’s barrier function.
  • Combat oxidative stress.
  • Fight inflammation.
  • Are non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
  • Contain small molecular skin nutrients.
  • Include antioxidants, amino acids, and vitamins.
  • Contain certified organic and pharmaceutical-grade ingredients.

 

Viniferamine® skin care products, along with a consistent care regimen, can help you manage radiation dermatitis.   Shop for these Viniferamine® skin care products by clicking here.

Radiation Dermatitis Mitigation Factors

The best time to address the possibility of radiation dermatitis is before your radiation treatment. Viniferamine® suggests that the severity of radiation dermatitis can be mitigated by several factors including:

  • Total radiation dosage
  • Schedule of radiation dosing
  • Quality (and type) of beam
  • Surface area (and volume) of radiated tissue
  • Nutritional status
  • Skin quality
  • Presence and quantity of obesity-related skin folds

 

Talk to your physician about how these factors impact your development of radiation dermatitis, and its severity.

Radiation Dermatitis Treatment Checklist

In order to reduce the severity of your personal symptoms of radiation dermatitis, it’s a good idea to do the following in the days and weeks leading up to your first radiation treatments.

For your convenience, here is your checklist for steps that you can take to reduce the pain and alleviate many of the symptoms associated with radiation dermatitis.

  • Be prepared for radiation dermatitis before treatment begins.
  • Have the right products on hand to offer effective treatment for radiation dermatitis, like the Viniferamine® At Home Radiation Skin Care Kit.
  • Change your diet to one that is nutrient rich and will help get the right nutrients to help boost the skin’s ability to repair itself.
  • Stop smoking.
  • Try to take off some weight or tone muscles if you are obese or have skin folds that are attractive locations for radiation dermatitis.
  • Use pH balanced soaps and cleansers.
  • Be proactive by pampering your skin using appropriate soaps and lotions before wounds appear.
  • Avoid sun exposure whenever possible with the use of appropriate clothing, hats, and sunscreen.
  • Wear comfortable, loose fitting clothing in breathable materials that will not rub against the skin.
  • Avoid rubbing and scratching your skin.

 

The bulk of care for radiation dermatitis will happen at home. Be prepared for that and ask questions of your physician or attending nurse before receiving radiation therapy so that you feel confident you understand the risks and can take steps to reduce and repair the damage radiation treatments cause to your skin.

FAQs / SAQs – Frequently and Should Ask Questions

These are questions that are commonly asked of physicians, and that you should consider asking your doctor before your radiation begins in order to take early steps to reduce some of the pain and potential embarrassment of severe radiation dermatitis.

 

What steps can I take to prevent radiation dermatitis?

The honest answer is that it is so prevalent among radiation therapy patients that preventing it is largely unlikely currently– at least by the time you know you need it.

Genetics, obesity, smoking, and skin exposure to the sun are all long-term factors that can impact the severity of the radiation dermatitis you are likely to experience though. The checklist above can help as well.

Is the risk of radiation dermatitis worth going through radiation therapy?

Radiation therapy is never ordered lightly. If your physician orders radiation therapy, he or she feels it is the most practical and effective treatment option available to you. That being said, it is always wise to consider your options and weigh the pros and cons of each when treating against something as serious as cancer.

Are there illnesses and diseases that might increase my risk of RD?

There are several conditions that may make you more susceptible to radiation dermatitis, including diabetes mellitus, genetic disorders affecting the DNA of the epidermis, diseases like HIV, connective tissue diseases, and chromosomal breakage syndromes, among others.

Here at MEDICAL MONKS, we understand that radiation dermatitis can be both physically and emotionally painful for you. We believe that offering educational information about what radiation dermatitis is and solutions for treating it may help reduce any concerns you have about it.  We are here to help with any concerns about radiation dermatitis condition and how Viniferamine can help, so be sure to visit our website at Medical Monks or call us at 844-859-9400.

 

MedicalMonks_2Col_Pos

About the Author – The Product Specialists of Medical Monks contributed this article.  Medical Monks is medical supply retailer serving consumers and businesses across the United States.   Reach our Specialists at customercare@medicalmonks.com.

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Recent Changes in Medical Grade Honey Reimbursement

Recent Changes in Medical Grade Honey Reimbursement – What you as a Consumer Need to Know

There are many changes coming when it comes to the market for medical grade honey for wound care. But there are also many things that are remaining the same. These are the important points you, as a consumer, need to know.

What Hasn’t Changed about Medical Grade Honey for Wound Care

Most importantly, the use of medical grade honey for wound care continues to be an FDA approved practice that is safe and effective for treating wounds and burns.

The reason is that honey has advanced wound healing properties that provides:

  • Optimal moist environment conducive to wound healing
  • To help soften and liquefy necrotic (dead) tissue
  • A low pH level which has been shown to have wound healing benefits – pH is the level of acidity or alkalinity of a solution or substance. If the pH of a product is too different from the pH of the skin it could damage the skin. It is estimated that the ‘natural’ skin surface pH is on average 4.7.  High grade medical honey has a pH of at or below 4.7.

It can be used to treat a wide range of wounds, including:

  • Diabetic Foot Ulcers
  • Pressure Ulcers
  • Skin Tears
  • Superficial Burns
  • Surgical Wounds
  • Venous Ulcers

For anyone who needs medical grade honey to deal with wounds on a regular basis, the recently announced changes are both a cause for celebrating and seeking out help for getting medical grade honey wound care products, whether that’s by paying cash or getting help with handling insurance reimbursements.

Recent Changes Related to Medical Grade Honey

Unfortunately in January 2015, The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) made the decision to discontinue reimbursements under Medicare Part B for honey-based wound dressings containing more than 50 percent medicinal honey.

The exceptions to this rule included:

  • Acute Care Inpatient
  • Home Healthcare Agency Use
  • Long-term Acute Care Hospitals
  • Outpatient Wound Clinics
  • Skilled Nursing Facilities (for the first 100 days)

However, those patients affected by the change are those receiving 1) outpatient care locations not found in the above list OR 2) those receiving or administering self-care at home.

CMS Changes its Mind

In June of 2015, CMS reversed the January 2015 decision and allowed honey-based wound dressings containing more than 50 percent medical honey to submit for reimbursement.

Unfortunately, CMS made it more difficult and time consuming for those selling honey products to submit these claims for reimbursement on behalf of patients. Many suppliers found the claims submission and approval format excessively cumbersome and the processing time over long.

Many suppliers ultimately decided that the risk of claim rejection was far too great. So, they quit offering reimbursable medical honey products containing more than 50 percent medical honey and instead offered patients reimbursable non-honey products.

Why is CMS Making these Changes?

No one is really certain why the changes are being made. Some believe it is part of an effort to reduce overall Medicare costs. But, there is widespread concern that while it may only reduce costs marginally it will actually only serve to hurt patient outcomes.

For these reasons, many consumers are now paying cash for honey products because they see and feel the benefits of honey for wound care and don’t want to switch to non-honey products.

Where Can Patients and/or Caregivers Buy Honey Dressings?

While so many suppliers are opting out of supplying medical grade honey products, there are some who will handle insurance billing on behalf of customers — and most will accept cash payments for honey dressings. The online retailer, Medical Monks is one of the few retailer / suppliers that can help consumers with both cash and insurance billing for medical grade honey products.

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What Are Some Great Medical Grade Honey Products on the Market?

Here are some top Medical Grade Honey-based wound dressings from Derma Sciences, a leading manufacturer in the industry:

MEDIHONEY® Calcium Alginate

Composed of a Calcium Alginate dressing impregnated with 100% Leptospermum or Manuka Honey. This dressing provides wound fluid absorption capabilities and continuous donation of honey to the wound bed. This dressing is for partial to full thickness wounds and burns that are moderately to heavily draining.

MEDIHONEY® HCS

Composed of a Super Absorbent Polymer (SAP Technology), offering 2.5 times more absorption that leading hydrocolloids, and 100% Leptospermum Honey. This dressing is for superficial to partial thickness wounds and burns that are non-draining to lightly exuding.

MEDIHONEY® Honeycolloid

Composed of hydrocolloids, which are absorptive powders, and 100% Leptospermum Honey. This dressing is for superficial to full partial thickness wounds and burns that are light to moderately draining.

MEDIHONEY® Gel

Composed of 100% Leptospermum Honey and natural gelling agents (vegetable esters). This formulation provides a thick ointment consistency (thicker than the MEDIHONEY® Paste) for added stability when applying to the wound bed. MEDIHONEY® Gel is indicated for superficial to full thickness wounds and burns that are light to moderately draining.

MEDIHONEY® Paste

This dressing comes in a tube just like the MEDIHONEY® Gel. The difference is that the Paste is composed of 100% Leptospermum Honey, with no natural gelling agents and is therefore thinner (more runny) in consistency. MEDIHONEY® Paste is indicated for superficial to full thickness wounds and burns that are light to moderately draining.

To read more about Derma Sciences and their products (to include clinical evidence) go to http://www.dermasciences.com/medihoney

For more information about medical grade honey product coverage and reimbursement or to buy medical grade honey products please visit our website at https://www.medicalmonks.com or call us at please call us here at Medical Monks at 844-859-9400.

 

MedicalMonks_2Col_PosAbout the Author – The Product Specialists at Medical Monks contributed this article.  Medical Monks is medical supply retailer serving consumers and businesses across the United States.   Reach our Specialists at customercare@medicalmonks.com.