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Actico

The Actico® cohesive inelastic bandage system, tried and tested to effectively manage venous ulceration and chronic oedema

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In detail

Actico is a cohesive inelastic compression bandage system. Actico is applied at 100% full stretch for accurate and easy simple spiral application – reducing the risk of over compression. A Randomised Controlled Trial showed Actico is as effective as 4L at healing ulcers in both mobile and immobile patients. Actico can be applied up to the knee or as a full leg bandage as required.

How to use Actico

 Key benefits

  • Non slip so Actico requires fewer re-applications.
  • Patients can usually wear their normal footwear.
  • Suitable for leg ulcers with or without oedema.
  • Effective for mobile and immobile patients
  • Actico can treat the majority of limb shapes
  • Ideal for oedema or exudate reduction prior to ongoing healing with a hosiery kit
  • Patient leaflet available

Forms

Actico Competency Form

Guide to applying Actico

Indications

A full holistic assessment, including Doppler, should be carried out prior to application (refer to local guidelines)

Indications for use:

  • Venous leg ulcers with and without chronic oedema
  • Chronic oedema and lymphoedema
  • Mobile and immobile patients
  • ABPI >0.8 - 1.3 Actico® compression therapy can be applied. If ABPI is >1.3 further investigation may be required before Actico® is applied (please refer to local guidelines).

Precautions:

  • If the ABPI is 0.5 – 0.8 (venous leg ulcer with an arterial component) Actico® can be applied with caution under strict medical or vascular specialist supervision (Please refer to local guidelines.)
  • Not suitable for ankle circumference of less than 18cm unless padding is used to increase the ankle circumference to 18cm or more.

Use with caution:

  • Significant arterial disease (ischaemia) according to vascular assessment
  • Current acute inflammatory episode
  • Acute deep vein thrombosis
  • Patients with diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis unless after specialist referral and under supervision
  • Patients with renal failure unless after specialist referral and under supervision
  • Congestive heart failure, as compression could lead to cardiac overload
  • Sensory disorders of the limb i.e. peripheral neuropathy
  • Known sensitivity to the bandage system

Following application:

  • if the patient shows signs of pain, reduced colour or numbness on their extremities distal to the bandage, then it should be removed immediately
  • Actico® should not be reused
  • As with all compression bandage systems, training on the correct application of Actico® is recommended
  • Actico® contains ultra-low sensitivity latex. If latex intolerance is suspected, the use of Actico2C or Rosidal® K 100% cotton inelastic bandage is recommended

Ordering codes

LR code PIP code NHS SC
Cohesive Short Stretch Bandage 10cmx6m 88310 271-5431 EBA016
Cohesive Short Stretch Bandage 4cmx6m 88307 314-0860 EBA030
Cohesive Short Stretch Bandage 6cmx6m 88308 314-0878 EBA031
Cohesive Short Stretch Bandage 8cmx6m 88309 314-0886 EBA032
Cohesive Short Stretch Bandage 12cmx6m 88311 314-0894 EBA033

Clinical evidence

References from the Actico® Cohesive Inelastic Bandage Product Brochure – M2490

  1. Clements, A. (2007) Lymphoedema, a case study using the available resources – bandages, hosiery, nurse skills and patient/carer. Poster presentation, Wounds UK, Harrogate. Nov. 2007.
  2. Charles, H., Hofman, D., Anderson, I., Williams, A.F. (2009) Short stretch bandages can assist wound healing and reduce oedema in immobile patients. Journal of Wound Care; Volume 18; No1: 39, Jan 09.
  3. Prytherch, J. (2005) Not a stretch too far. Poster presentation, Wounds UK, Harrogate.
  4. Wilson, J. (2005) The introduction of Actico cohesive SSB into a specialist leg ulcer clinic; Poster presentation, EWMA Conference, Stuttgart.
  5. Prytherch, J., Pike, J., Tongue, J. (2003). Implementation of Actico® Cohesive Short Stretch bandaging for patients with mixed aetiology ulceration. Poster presentation, Wounds UK.
  6. Grimmett-Bate, S., Welch, M., Cresswell, H., Wale, L. (2018) A multi-therapy approach using wound bed preparation, super-absorbent dressing and compression to achieve a quick and effective exudate solution for venous leg ulcers. Poster presentation, Wounds UK.
  7. Hampton, S., Lindsay, E. (2005) Empowering patients to take control of leg ulcer treatment through individual management. Journal of Wound Care; Vol. 14; No.5, May: 238-240.
  8. Tibbs, D.J. The role of compression hosiery in venous and lymphatic disorders.
  9. WUWHS (World Union of Wound Healing Society), 2008. Principles of Best Practice – Compression in venous leg ulcers: A consensus document. Toronto, Canada 4th -8th June 2008. Medical Education Partnership (MEP) Ltd: London: 1-10
  10. Marston, W., Vowden, K. (2003) Compression therapy : a guide to safe practice. In: European Wound Management Association (EWMA). Position Document. Understanding Compression Therapy. London: MEP Ltd. 2003.
  11. Franks, PJ., et al. (2004) Randomised trial of cohesive short stretch (Actico®) versus four-layer bandaging in the management of venous ulceration. Wound Repair and Regeneration. 2004: Vol. 12; No.2 April:157-162.
  12. Hawkins, J. (2001). A new cohesive short stretch bandage and its application, British Journal of Nursing, Vol 10, No.4: 249-253.
  13. Wounds UK (2016) Best Practice Statement: Holistic Management of Venous Leg Ulceration. London: Wounds UK. Available for download from: https://www.wounds-uk.com. Atkin, L. and Tickle, J. (2018) A new pathway for lower limb ulceration. Wounds UK 12(2): pp 40-3

A STEP-DOWN APPROACH TO LEG ULCER MANAGEMENT: FACILITATING BEST PRACTICE, COST IMPROVEMENTS AND QUALITY OF LIFE

Bandages may not be what the patient prefers, using bandages until the limb and wound are suitable for a hosiery kit suited this tennis playing patient.

Author: Jenny Williamson,Lol Pidcock,
Publication: Harrogate Poster
Date: November 1st, 2014

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Randomised trial comparing four layer with Actico cohesive short stretch compression bandaging in the management of chronic venous ulceration

159 patients, 12 centres- Outcomes; ulcer closure 4 LB 68%, CSSB 73%. Mobility deficit did not affect healing with cohesive short stretch bandages

Author: P.Franks, M.Moody, C.Moffatt, R.Martin, R.Blewett, E.Seymour, A.Hildreth, C Hourican, J Collins, A Heron,
Publication:
Date: April 1st, 2004

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Clinical audit of a lymphoedema bandaging system: a foam roll and cohesive short stretch bandages

The combination of Actico and Rosidal Soft bandages reduced limb volume in patients with late stage lymphoedeama.

Author: J. Whitaker et al.
Publication: Journal of Woundcare
Date: March 1st, 2015

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Innovations in compression for chronic oedema

The supplement is written for the specialist nurse or clinician with specialist skills in the management of chronic oedema, with a focus on late stage 2/3 fibrotic lymphoedema.

Author: Whitaker, Elwell, Atkin, Norris et al
Publication: British Journal of Community Nursing
Date: April 1st, 2015

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SHORT STRETCH VERSUS FOUR LAYER? THE PATIENT'S CHOICE

A literature review was conducted to explore the efficacy of short stretch bandages versus 4 layer bandage systems

Author: Amy Pierrepont,
Publication: Harrogate Poster
Date: November 1st, 2014

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