An overview of Acticoat dressing in wound management.

This article reviews the in vitro and in vivo studies available on a new nanocrystalline silver dressing, Acticoat (Smith & Nephew), and discusses their relevance to the availability of this product on the Drug Tariff. The addition of nanocrystalline silver dressings will make a valuable contribution to wound care in the community, in terms of providing continuity of care for patients who are discharged from hospital and also in preventing admission to hospital with non-manageable wound infection.