(ROSWELL, Ga. – Feb. 6, 2007) – Kimberly-Clark Health Care announced today the launch of Kimberly-Clark InteguSeal Microbial Sealant (InteguSeal Microbial Sealant), a first-in-class microbial barrier designed to reduce the risk of skin flora contamination throughout a surgical procedure. InteguSeal Microbial Sealant was unveiled during the annual meeting of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons January 28–30 in San Diego, Calif.

InteguSeal Microbial Sealant uses a proprietary formulation to seal and immobilize pathogens to help protect against migration into an incision. InteguSeal Microbial Sealant has been used in over 15,000 applications during surgical procedures internationally. In late 2006, InteguSeal Microbial Sealant received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval as a class II medical device and is now available for sale in the United States.

It is generally accepted that wound contamination by the patient's endogenous skin flora is a key factor in the development of surgical site infection (SSI), and absolute skin sterilization prior to surgery is not possible.(1) InteguSeal Microbial Sealant has a unique mechanism of action that does not promote bacterial resistance and does not need to be removed for suture or closure. Easy to apply and fast-drying, InteguSeal Microbial Sealant can be used with a variety of patient skin preparation treatments and surgical products such as electrocautery, sutures, staples and wound adhesives. The versatile film bonds to skin surfaces with different curvature, hair-content or amount or types of flora present.

"Having a solution like InteguSeal Microbial Sealant that helps to prevent a patient's own skin flora from contaminating the surgical site will bring hospitals one step closer to reducing the risk of surgical site infection," stated John Amat, vice-president, marketing and sales, Kimberly-Clark Health Care.

Currently, two to five percent of patients undergoing surgery are at risk for SSIs, a major source of morbidity following operative procedures.(2) Compared with uninfected patients, those with SSIs remain in hospitals seven days longer, have a 60 percent increased probability of admittance to Intensive Care Units, are five times more likely to return for continued care within 30 days of discharge and have double the mortality rate.(3)

Kimberly-Clark Health Care President Joanne Bauer says, "The appropriate use of medical products during surgical procedures can help to prevent healthcare associated infections and ultimately lower costs incurred by facilities. This is why we are building on our strong portfolio of O.R. products and introducing new and innovative clinical solutions that help to support our customers' healing mission."

Kimberly-Clark is striving to bring its customers less worry through delivery of clinical solutions to prevent, diagnose and manage healthcare-associated infections and to prevent or reduce complications before, during and after surgery. To learn more about Kimberly-Clark InteguSeal Microbial Sealant, please visit www.kchealthcare.com/ssi.

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. This over $1 billion global enterprise of Kimberly-Clark Corporation 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. ) Hagen, K.S., Treston-Aurand, J. A comparison of two skin preps used in cardiac surgical procedures. AORN J 1995. 62(3):393-402

(2.) Surgical Site Infections; Case For Improvement. IHI.org (Institute of Healthcare Improvement)

(3.) Barnard, B. (2003) Prevention of Surgical Site Infections. Infection Control Today. http://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/articles/341bpract.html