ROSWELL, Ga. - Dec. 3, 2008 - Kimberly-Clark Health Care announced today the launch of InteguSeal Microbial Sealant IS 50, which is ideally suited for orthopedic surgeries that involve smaller incision areas such as hands, feet and ankles. Offering the same InteguSeal formulation, IS 50 is a smaller, ergonomically designed applicator providing surgeons ease-of-use in and around small crevises and curvatures on the body, helping reduce the risk of skin flora contamination throughout a surgical procedure.

According to the CDC, almost 500,000 surgical site infections (SSIs) occur in the United States each year, making SSIs the second most common healthcare-associated infection. At present, 2 to 5 percent of patients undergoing surgery are at risk for SSIs (1). Compared with uninfected patients, those with SSIs remain in hospitals seven days longer, have a 60 percent increased probability of admittance to ICUs, are five times more likely to return for continued care within 30 days of discharge and have double the mortality rate.(2)

"Kimberly-Clark Health Care is focused on creating products that provide the best protection from infection for patients as well as for healthcare workers," said John Amat, vice president of global sales and marketing, Kimberly-Clark Health Care. "With the addition of the IS 50 product to our InteguSeal portfolio, we now offer a unique clinical solution suited for a variety of surgical procedures, from the smallest incisions to full open-chest surgeries."

With three sizes of InteguSeal Microbial Sealant, IS 200, IS 100 and IS 50, Kimberly-Clark Health Care provides a suitable option for locking skin flora out of the surgical site. During surgery, a patient's own skin flora can be the primary source of contamination even after rigorous prepping. By coating the skin with a film-forming liquid, InteguSeal locks down bacteria residing deep in the skin as well as those surviving typical pre-operative prep. InteguSeal immobilizes dangerous pathogens that preps and incision drapes can leave behind - including MRSA. InteguSeal is non-irritating and breathable and does not promote bacterial resistance.

Kimberly-Clark Health Care strives to bring its customers one less worry through delivery of innovative healthcare solutions supported by in-service training, clinical research and accredited education. To learn more about Kimberly-Clark InteguSeal Microbial Sealant, please visit www.kchealthcare.com/integuseal.

Kimberly-Clark in the Healthcare Environment
Around the world, medical professionals turn to Kimberly-Clark for a wide portfolio of solutions that improve the health, hygiene and well-being of their patients and staff. As part of their healing mission, caregivers rely on Kimberly-Clark to deliver clinical solutions and educational resources that they can depend on to prevent, diagnose and manage a wide variety of healthcare-associated infections. As a global enterprise with more than $1 billion in annual sales, Kimberly-Clark Health Care holds the No. 1 and No. 2 market share positions in several categories including infection control solutions, surgical solutions, pain management and digestive health. And throughout the care continuum, patients and staff alike trust Kimberly-Clark medical supplies and devices, KLEENEX tissues, Kimberly-Clark professional skin care products and SCOTT towels for day-to-day needs. For more information, please visit http://www.kchealthcare.com.

(1) Surgical Site Infections; Case For Improvement. IHI.org (Institute for Healthcare Improvement).
(2) Barnard, B. (2003) Prevention of Surgical Site Infections. Infection Control Today.