Cone Health Pioneers Use of Fabric That Heals

Studies find that hospital linens and gowns can be transformed into therapeutic tools when made with a smooth, antimicrobial fabric called DermaTherapy. Researchers found that patients using DermaTherapy developed 81.5 percent fewer bed sores (pressure ulcers) while in the hospital. Patients who were admitted with bedsores had a 21 percent reduction in wounds when discharged from the hospital, indicating that the linens promoted healing. Other study results found a 6.4 percent reduction in the length of time spent in the hospital by patients using the antimicrobial DermaTherapy product. Cone Health has put bed linens, gowns, and bed pads made from this patented antimicrobial fabric into all of its hospitals. Therapeutic linens also promise to reduce healthcare costs. In addition to fewer pressure ulcers and shorter hospital stays, DermaTherapy products require less energy to launder, according to the company.