Frequently Asked Questions
Can Aurix be stored for later use?
Once formulated from the patient’s blood, Aurix cannot be stored for use at a later time. It is a living tissue and must be made fresh at the time of wound application.
How long does Aurix take to process?
Aurix can be processed and applied in 5 – 15 minutes depending on the proficiency and familiarity of the user. The rapid procedure is enabled by an optimized centrifugation method to separate blood components in 1 minute.
Where does the Aurix process take place?
The centrifuge and kit were designed to be small and portable so that the processing of Aurix can occur in minimal space, such as at the bedside, or in the patient treatment room. Aurix may be used in the inpatient hospital setting, outpatient clinic, physician’s office, home health setting, long term care facility and long-term acute care facility.
What happens if the patient is malnourished?
Patients who are considered to be malnourished according to standard lab values have had successful outcomes when treated with Aurix. While the healing may be slower in the malnourished patient, wound repair progresses.
How much blood is drawn?
*A lower hematocrit will yield more platelet/plasma per blood draw; a higher hematocrit will yield less platelet/plasma per blood draw.
The amount of blood varies with the patient’s hematocrit and the size of the wound. Small wounds require less blood drawn. Patients with high hematocrit will yield less platelet/plasma fraction from a sample than will those with low hematocrit. A routine blood draw using 4 S-Monovettes containing a total of 20 mL of anticoagulated blood typically produces 8 mL of platelet/plasma fraction for the preparation of Aurix. The flexibility afforded by the Aurix System allows a minimal amount of blood to be drawn in increments of 5 mL, the amount in one S-Monovette.
Can Aurix be used on exposed bone and tendon?
Yes, as long as the area has been debrided of most of the nonviable or necrotic tissue. Data from clinician’s case studies indicate granulation tissue growth over exposed bone and tendon during the wound repair process.
Can Aurix be used on wounds with malignancy?
The Aurix formulation contains growth factors that influence cellular growth in tissue, both healthy and malignant. Therefore, the use of Aurix is contraindicated in malignant wounds.
Can Aurix be used for patients who have cancer that is not in the wound bed?
Aurix can be used on these wounds. However, if the patient is on chemotherapy, the practitioner should be aware that some chemotherapeutic agents are toxic to new tissue growth, and so may counteract the effects of Aurix. The treating oncologist should be consulted to determine if the specific agent would negatively impact cell growth in the wound bed.
What is a normal course of therapy?
The average length of treatment depends on the wound size, the type of wound, and other co-morbidities. In a prospective, randomized, controlled trial, the average length of time for 100% epithelialization or full closure in diabetic foot ulcers treated with Aurix was 6 weeks.
How long after stopping VAC can I apply Aurix?
Immediately, if desired.
My patients are too sick to use Aurix. Can Aurix be used on patients with multiple comorbidities—low lab values, complex medical conditions, polyprescriptive drugs?
Yes, Aurix can be used on these patients successfully. Adjust your expectations for response according to the patient’s overall condition. The Pragmatic, Randomized, Controlled Trial by Gude et al (2019) demonstrates positive healing outcomes for patients presenting with a wide range of comorbidities typically associated with poor healing. Refer to de Leon (2011) for a comparison of wound healing response between patients with low lab values and patients with “normal” lab values.
Does Aurix require a physician’s order?
Yes, Aurix is used under the care of a physician and requires a physician’s order.