Patients come in many sizes and may need different sizes of bunion relief.

      The new Comfort Gel Skin^™ comes in four different models with various gel thicknesses and options for covers, according to the manufacturer Gel Smart. The sleeves available are the 5 mm Comfort Bunion Relief Pad and the 3 mm Dress Bunion Relief Pad.

      The company says the product combines flexibility with specialized textiles, which move with and conform to the gels. The gels add thickness while maintaining pliability and stretch for comfort, according to Gel Smart. The company uses a universal skin tone for the product but says it can also customize the color.
      Company: Gel Smart
      Product: Comfort Gel Skin^™
      For more info, circle 399 on your reader service card

Monitor Diabetic Feet

A new pair of diabetic socks combines an attractive appearance with the ability to let patients monitor their feet.

      Euros Rx for Diabetics are available in both black and white. The manufacturer EuroSocks North America notes that the black socks have a white bottom so patients can monitor their feet while having a dress sock in a traditional color and will not have to wear white socks every day.

      The constriction-free socks offer a woven arch support, a mild ankle brace, a padded terrycloth sole and a flat knit toe seam, according to the company. The company notes that Euros Rx enable patients to monitor wound drainage. It notes the socks also stimulate blood flow, increase circulation, relieve swelling and reduce muscle fatigue.

      Company: EuroSocks North America
      Product: Euros Rx for Diabetics
      For more info, circle 400 on your reader service card

Heal Wounds With Silver Dressing

The wound healing benefits of silver are well known and a new dressing offers some unique benefits.

      Algicell^™ Ag Calcium Alginate Wound Dressing with Antimicrobial Silver is the first silver alginate dressing to feature a combination of antimicrobial ionic silver and pure alginate fibers, according to the manufacturer Derma Sciences, Inc.

      The company notes that the recently FDA-approved product is composed of 1.4% silver in ionic form and a blend of mannuronic and guluronic alginic acids. With the dressing releasing silver ions over time in a controlled manner, Derma Sciences says this facilitates constant protection and extended wear.

      Derma Sciences points out that the blend of alginic acids makes for a moist wound environment and minimizes the fibrous residue that can be typical of dressings. In addition, Algicell is made with more material than another leading dressing. Derma Sciences says the additional material improves the absorption of the dressing.

      Company: Derma Sciences, Inc.
      Product: Algicell^™ Ag Calcium Alginate Wound Dressing with Antimicrobial Silver
      For more info, circle 401 on your reader service card

Check Their Medicare Status

Medicare can be a complicated maze to navigate but now one company offers a convenient alternative to negotiating the system.

      CheckMedicare.com permits DPMs to check on the status of patients’ Medicare eligibility and deductibles, according to the manufacturer ICS Software. For patients on traditional Medicare, the system shows doctors how much of the deductible remains for the year, according to the company.

      ICS notes that sometimes doctors find out their patients opted out of traditional Medicare and chose to carry membership in another healthcare plan. The company says sometimes patients do not convey this information to the doctor until their claim has been denied and this means the doctor may have inadvertently performed the service for free. With CheckMedicare.com, DPMs can avoid such problems by checking patients’ status in less than six seconds, according to the company.

      Company: ICS Software
      Product: CheckMedicare.com
      For more info, circle 402 on your reader service card