February 17, 2011
By Staff Reporter
KCI was founded on a spirit of innovation. The company introduced to the market innovations that today are considered standard of care because they were designed for specific patient conditions.
KCI got its start in 1976, focused on helping to treat patients and to prevent complications related to patient immobility. Dr. Jim Leininger, an emergency room physician, realized that patients would often survive serious physical trauma, only to develop life-threatening complications as the result of their immobility. He knew that if he could just keep the patients mobilized, they would survive. Early success led to the development or acquisition of a patented line of advanced therapeutic specialty beds, surfaces and related devices, including the RotoProne Therapy System, AtmosAir 9000AR Mattress Replacement System and the First Step Advantage therapeutic overlay. The KCI Continuum of Care also addresses the therapeutic and risk management concerns of caring for bariatric patients.
In 1995, KCI launched its largest innovation yet, the V.A.C. Therapy System, which has been clinically proven to help promote wound healing while helping to decrease length of stay and incidence of complications. Part of the innovative system includes the use of V.A.C. GranuFoam and V.A.C. WhiteFoam Dressings, which are critical to deliver effective Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT). Each dressing is engineered for specific wound applications to provide outcomes clinicians can trust. The V.A.C. Therapy System is backed by one of the most substantial clinical evidence bases in wound care. In 2005, KCI launched V.A.C. GranuFoam Silver Dressings, further building on its innovative heritage.
KCI continues to develop and look for new technologies and therapies that we can bring to market to help with some of the most challenging clinical issues healthcare providers face while helping to lower the cost of care. Our global staff is focused on making a difference in the lives of patients, both today and tomorrow.