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Pressure ulcers result in significant morbidity and mortality, increased hospital costs, and patient suffering. Most can be minimized with adequate care and treatment. Support surfaces improve outcomes by distributing weight, thus relieving pressure points. They also minimize shear and friction, and reduce exposure of the skin to excessive moisture, leading to improved morbidity.
Methods:
This study evaluated the ability of an innovative support surface†, with superior pressure redistribution compared to 10 leading standard surfaces1,2, to prevent or mitigate pressure ulcer development in a skilled nursing setting. Six patients at the Four Courts Senior Care Center, (Louisville, KY), were placed on the support surface and followed for 30 days. Assessments included Braden Score, Skin Alteration Status and Patient Comfort at the time of study entry, during the study and at study completion.
Results:
Six patients (5F, 1M) were enrolled. Patient characteristics were: average age: 85.3 (range 81 – 91), average BMI: 33.0 (range 18.8 – 49.7). Braden Scores at study entry ranged from 15 – 21, and Skin Alteration assessments showed no concerns for 5 patients and one Stage 2 pressure ulcer in one patient. At 30 days, Braden Scores were unchanged, and Skin Alteration assessments were normal for 5 patients with noted healing in the Stage 2 lesion. Patient assessments of comfort were consistently high, with an average score of 8.8/10 (range 8 – 10).
Conclusion:
Published data indicates that 7% - 10% of the patients would develop pressure ulcers under standard skilled nursing care3. The observation of improvement or no worsening in all subjects suggests a key role for this innovative pressure-relieving support surface. In addition, patient comfort, an important factor in recovery, was highly rated. Additional studies are planned to further assess the benefits in skilled nursing and other settings.