Smith & Nephew Launches New Education Program and ALLEVYN* Gentle Border Sacrum

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., June 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Smith & Nephew's Advanced Wound Management division (LSE: SN;NYSE: SNN) today announced the launch of ALLEVYN Gentle Border Sacrum, a new dressing that incorporates Gentle Border technology and is designed specifically for managing wounds located in the sacral area. Also launching today is Classroom to Bedside, a new professional education program focused on skin and wound care. These new tools, introduced at the 2011 Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society (WOCN) Annual Conference, further the company's commitment to providing nurses and other care providers with the resources and products that contribute to positive patient outcomes.

The Classroom to Bedside Education Program will help nurses and other healthcare professionals by providing resources and tools to support optimal assessment and management of wounds, reduce clinical practice variation and improve the patient experience. This new program provides the training and tools to take caregivers from the classroom to the bedside. The program uses a series of teaching modules, training DVDs, pocket guides and bedside tools to provide guidance for pressure ulcer prevention, wound assessment and documentation, management of non-healing wounds and the use of advanced wound care dressings and negative pressure wound therapy.

"At Smith & Nephew we work closely with WOCN providers to address their changing needs and enable the best level of care," said Patricia Burns, Smith & Nephew's Vice President of Clinical Affairs for Advanced Wound Management. "We are pleased to introduce this new product and education program as they demonstrate our long-standing commitment to innovation and education."

ALLEVYN Gentle Border Sacrum technology incorporates a silicone gel adhesive suitable for fragile or sensitive skin to minimize pain during dressing changes. ALLEVYN Gentle Border Sacrum is indicated to treat exuding, granulating wounds located on or near the sacrum, or at the base of the spine. The unique anatomical design was developed based on clinical input and is able to conform to the distinctive contours of the sacral area, providing flexibility and gentle adherence.

These new offerings by Smith & Nephew build on the company's pledge to advance the practice of wound care and reduce the overall human and economic cost of wounds. For more information on ALLEVYN Gentle Border Sacrum or the Classroom to Bedside Education Program, please go to www.smith-nephew.com or visit us at the WOCN Conference, Booth #833.

ALLEVYN

The ALLEVYN range of wound dressings are comprised of three layers: a breathable bacteria proof and waterproof polyurethane top film, a hydrocellular absorbent foam core and a non-adherent wound contact layer. This Triple Action Technology provides moisture balance for support of the natural wound healing process. ALLEVYN dressings come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are designed to treat a large variety of wounds in various locations around the body.

About Smith & Nephew

Smith & Nephew is a global medical technology business with global leadership positions in Orthopaedics, including Reconstruction, Trauma and Clinical Therapies; Endoscopy, including Sports Medicine; and Advanced Wound Management.  Smith & Nephew is a global leader in arthroscopy and advanced wound management and is one of the leading global orthopaedics companies.

Smith & Nephew is dedicated to helping improve people's lives.  The Company prides itself on the strength of its relationships with its surgeons and professional healthcare customers, with whom its name is synonymous with high standards of performance, innovation and trust.  The Company has distribution channels, purchasing agents and buying entities in over 90 countries worldwide.  Annual sales in 2010 were nearly $4.0 billion.

Forward-Looking Statements

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Any forward-looking statement is based on information available to Smith & Nephew as of the date of the statement. All written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to Smith & Nephew are qualified by this caution.  Smith & Nephew does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect any change in circumstances or in Smith & Nephew's expectations.

^*Trademark of Smith & Nephew.  Certain marks registered U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

SOURCE Smith & Nephew