Essity Selected To Join Global Task Force On Prophylactic Dressing Standards In Wound Care

Essity is one of nine companies that will serve on a newly created task force designed to create testing and treatment standards for pressure injuries

PHILADELPHIA, March 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Hygiene and health company Essity, maker of the Cutimed^® brand of wound care products, was chosen to serve on an international task force addressing a need for treatment standards for pressure injuries. Beginning March 31, 2021, the Task Force will lead the Prophylactic Dressing Standards Initiative (PDSI), a new effort jointly created by the National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel (NPIAP) and the European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (EPUAP) to establish standardized protocols for prophylactic dressings. To date, there are no known standards for prophylactic dressings, despite a global increase in usage.

Essity was selected from a wide pool of applicants to join the PDSI Task Force due to the company's expertise, innovation and offerings in advanced and acute wound care ꟷ including wound bed, infection, exudate and tissue management. Essity's range of wound care solutions under the brand Cutimed^®, including Cutimed^® Sorbact^® bacteria-binding technology, help deliver positive clinical outcomes in wound management.

Immediate and long-term priorities of the PDSI Task Force include:

• Define and agree on the scope of prophylactic dressing standards;
• Select specific topics and standards for initial development;
• Develop testing standards over the next three years;
• Validate testing standards through the Task Force;
• Submit validated testing standards to international and national standard organizations for accreditation.

"Being selected for the Task Force is an honor and a testament to our contributions to therapies," said James Widener, Market Access and Health Policy Manager for Essity in North America and member of the PDSI Task Force. "When this NPIAP initiative was announced, we understood the importance for both patients and healthcare providers. Essity, along with our industry partners on the Task Force, is committed to improving patient outcomes. Developing a unified approach to pressure injury prevention will enable healthcare providers to offer patients the best solutions early in treatment. Our ultimate goal is to enhance patients' quality of life by healing wounds faster and more thoroughly."

The PDSI Task Force is comprised of expert representatives from a range of professional backgrounds including clinicians, researchers and policymakers. In addition to Jim Widener, the following Essity employees will serve on the PDSI Task Force:

• Dr. Ulrike Lehnigk, Global Medical Advisor, Therapeutic Area Advanced Wound Care
• Tony Forsberg, National Clinical Director
• Amy Gray, RN, BSN, CWS, Clinical Manager

Pressure injuries are one of the most common types of injuries, with 2.5 million patients developing a pressure injury per year.¹ The injuries are localized damage to the skin and underlying soft tissue, usually occurring over a bony prominence and often result from prolonged use of a medical devices. Prophylactic dressings are essential for the prevention of these injuries. Because of the frequency and severity of pressure injuries, they must be treated quickly and appropriately to prevent further damage and to allow for proper healing.

For more information, visit Essity.com and NPIAP.com.

About Essity

Essity is a leading global hygiene and health company. We are dedicated to improving well-being through our products and services. Sales are conducted in approximately 150 countries under the leading global brands TENA and Tork, and other strong brands, such as JOBST, Leukoplast, Libero, Libresse, Lotus, Nosotras, Saba, Tempo, Vinda and Zewa. Essity has about 46,000 employees. Net sales in 2020 amounted to approximately $13.8 billion USD. The company's headquarters is in Stockholm, Sweden, and Essity is listed on OMX Nasdaq Stockholm. Essity breaks barriers to well-being and contributes to a healthy, sustainable and circular society. More information at www.essity.com.

Media Contact:

Rachel Sharpe, Weber Shandwick, [email protected]

¹ NPIAP Pressure Injury Fact Sheet: npiap.com/resource/resmgr/npiap_pru_awareness_fact_she.pdf

SOURCE Essity

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