3M Micropore Surgical Paper Tape
Key Features:
- Gentle to the skin
- Holds well on damp skin for secure placement
- Excellent for general-purpose taping
- Allows for moisture evaporation and skin to breathe
- Gentle adhesion
- Conformable and reliably secures dressings and devices to skin
- True breakthrough for patient safety and comfort
- Highly breathable to maintain skin integrity
- Economical single use rolls
- Sold non-sterile
- Radiolucent
- Latex-free and hypoallergenic for sensitive patients
Indications for Use:
- Securing ostomy appliances
- Taping fragile, at-risk skin
- Securing ophthalmology and other dressings
- When repeated taping is needed
- Securing small to medium dressings especially on damp skin
- Securing lightweight tubing
More On 3M Micropore Surgical Tape
Application Instructions:
- Apply tape evenly to clean, dry surface
- Apply the tape evenly by positioning and pressing down from the center towards the edges
- Optimize adhesion by firmly rubbing or pressing the tape backing. This will ensure the tape stays in place
- Never apply tape under tension. This may induce skin trauma in the form of blistering or skin tearing
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Removal Instructions:
- Loosen tape ends
- Remove tape in direction of hair growth. Keep tape close to skin surface and slowly pull tape back
- Support skin throughout removal
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Storage And Shelf Life:
- It is recommended that 3M surgical tapes be stored under normal conditions within the temperature range of 59 – 86 degrees F (15 – 30 degrees C)
- 3M Microfoam tape has a recommended shelf life of three years under these conditions
Sterilization:
The following method was tested and proven reliable for sterilization and stable adhesion performance, with ethylene oxide residuals well within U.S. FDA guidelines:
- Strips of tape arranged over a suitable release surface, e.g. glass, stainless steel, silicone-treated paper
- Tape sealed in appropriate sterilization pouch or wrapper
- EtO sterilized warm cycle 55 degrees C (130-145 degrees F), minimum 1 hour exposure time (50% RH - 600 mg/liter, or equivalent)
- Warm cycle aeration (temperature not to exceed 55 degrees C) for a minimum 20 hour cycle before use
Considerations While Choosing A Tape For Tube Or Dressing Secural:
I. Degree of importance of tube or dressing
- The more critical the tubing/dressing, the higher the adhesion required.
- Strength of adhesion and backing may be more important than gentleness.
- Gentle tapes with higher adhesion may be used without increasing the risk of skin trauma if properly applied and removed.
- Some tapes are less gentle but are used for high initial adhesion, high long-term adhesion and high strength of backing.
II. Surface characteristics
Skin
- Dry
- Damp
- Diaphoretic
- Wet: secretions, leaking tubes
- Weeping
- Macerated
- Oily
- Hairy
- Edematous
- Intact vs. impaired skin integrity
- Elastic vs. non-elastic
- Fragile skin (elderly, very young)
- “At-risk†(e.g., patient on systemic
corticosteroids, chemotherapy; malnourished)
- Flexing
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Dressing
- Material
- Weight
- Conformability
Device
- Contour
- Weight
- Material: metal, plastic, otherÂÂ
Tubing
- Diameter: small, large
- Texture: smooth, ribbed, other
- Material: PVC, silicone, other
- Weight
- Length
- Potential for drag or pull
- Other support (e.g., sutures, tunneling)
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- Heavy tubings require higher adhesion.
- Bulky dressings require high conformability and may require greater adhesion.
- Individual results may vary.
III. Activity level of patient
- The more active the patient, the higher the adhesion required.ÂÂ
IV.Potential for skin surface distention or movement
- The risk of skin damage may be reduced by using tapes that stretch with skin distention or movement.ÂÂ
V. Anticipated wear time
- Tape adhesion generally builds over time. Breathable tapes are used for longer term wear.ÂÂ
VI. History and current medical conditions
- History and current medical conditions should be studied e.g., allergies/ sensitivities to medical adhesives, medications, medical conditions
