About Island & Composite Dressings
Island and composite dressings combine a central absorbent pad with an adhesive border, so a single product covers the wound and holds itself in place without separate tape. Composite dressings typically add a bacterial barrier layer and a semi-adherent or non-adherent contact layer. This collection includes island and composite dressings from Hartmann-Conco, Gentell and others, as part of Wound Care Supplies.
Two sizes appear on each listing, and both matter. The overall size is the full dressing including the border. The pad size is the absorbent island in the center, and it should extend past the wound edge. A 4 x 4 inch dressing, for example, might have a pad of roughly 2 x 2 inches, so the pad size is the more useful figure when matching a dressing to a wound. Border material varies too, with woven, non-woven, film and silicone options that differ in flexibility and how they come off the skin. Product type and change frequency are as specified by your clinician.
When reordering, use the REF number on the box, which identifies both the overall and pad sizes. Listings show the number of dressings per box and per case.
Frequently asked questions
How do I choose the right island dressing size?
Look at the pad size, not only the overall size. The absorbent pad should extend beyond the wound edge, and the border needs enough intact skin around it to adhere. Choose a border material, such as silicone for fragile skin, and follow the product type your clinician has specified.
Are island and composite dressings covered by insurance?
Composite dressings have their own HCPCS codes, such as A6203 to A6205, based on pad size. Those codes are shown for reference only. Coverage depends on your payer and plan, including how many dressings per month are allowed, and a prescription and wound documentation are usually required.
How do I reorder the same dressing?
Search our site for the REF number printed on your current box or dressing wrapper. It specifies overall size, pad size and border material, which can be difficult to tell apart from photos. Listings show the count per box and per case, so you can match your usual quantity.