The WOCN Society 40th Annual Conference (June 21-25th, 2008)
2319
Mapping the Way: Evaluating and Reducing Interface Pressure from Layering of Linens and Underpads
Elizabeth Limouze Enriquez, RN, BSN, MPH, CWOCN, Village Nursing Home, Rehab Nursing/Infection Control Specialist, 607 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
Nursing Home residents are often placed onto various class 1 and class 2 surfaces to reduce interface pressures, and thereby reduce risk for pressure ulcer formation. The use of pressure mapping technology has become a “gold standard” in the industry to determine interface pressures achieved on different bed and chair support surfaces. But the effect of the surface alone does not tell the whole story. Linens are often folded and combined with plastic and multi-layered rubber and cloth under-pads to “protect” the linens from the effects of incontinence, and also to provide a “lift sheet”.
Although many wound specialists suspect the potential deleterious effects of this practice, there has been a paucity of research to evaluate the effects of layering bed linens and under-pads. The use of pressure mapping technology by nurses to measure the effect of nursing interventions on interface pressure is almost totally absent from the literature. The purpose of this study is to evaluate, by use of “state of the art” pressure mapping technology, the effect of multiple linens, and various types of under-pads, over a sample of powered and non- powered surfaces. The graphic demonstration, via the colorful pressure maps, will demonstrate the great variances in pressure relief on the identical surfaces relative to the amount and types of layering present. Average pressures as well as peak pressures will be revealed, and compared. The benefits of utilizing less and more flexible layers on all types of surfaces will be evident from the various pressure mappings.
Although many wound specialists suspect the potential deleterious effects of this practice, there has been a paucity of research to evaluate the effects of layering bed linens and under-pads. The use of pressure mapping technology by nurses to measure the effect of nursing interventions on interface pressure is almost totally absent from the literature. The purpose of this study is to evaluate, by use of “state of the art” pressure mapping technology, the effect of multiple linens, and various types of under-pads, over a sample of powered and non- powered surfaces. The graphic demonstration, via the colorful pressure maps, will demonstrate the great variances in pressure relief on the identical surfaces relative to the amount and types of layering present. Average pressures as well as peak pressures will be revealed, and compared. The benefits of utilizing less and more flexible layers on all types of surfaces will be evident from the various pressure mappings.
It is hoped that this study will lend “evidence base” to some of the beliefs held by practicing clinicians, and that it will start a trend in using the advanced technology of pressure mapping to evaluate the effect of many other nursing interventions.
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See more of The WOCN Society 40th Annual Conference (June 21-25th, 2008)
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See more of The WOCN Society 40th Annual Conference (June 21-25th, 2008)