Put a stop to pressure ulcers

There are different measures available⁽⁵⁾ to prevent pressure ulcers. For example, whenever a patient enters a ward, a pressure ulcer risk assessment should be used, followed by a regular skin assessment to check for any signs of sores. But one of the best ways to prevent these is to change the bed lying position of the patient as much as possible. It is highly recommended to change position and alternate between back and sides at least every two hours.

Specialists⁽⁵⁾ additionally advise:

• Using prophylactic foam dressings to protect the skin, ease pressure and prevent friction on bony protrusions (e.g., heels, sacrum) or other body parts that are continually exposed to friction and shear.
• Applying skin moisturizer to hydrate dry skin in order to reduce risk of skin breakdown.
• Protecting the skin from excessive moisture exposure with a skin barrier product.

Our solution

We highly recommend a combination of our soft, cushion-like dressing which relieve pressure and avoid friction, with appropriate local skin moisture management products.

Less fragile and more resistant - hydrated skin

It is essential to lubricate the skin, reduce shear and friction⁽⁶⁾ and main the moisture barrier function of the skin⁽⁷⁾⁽⁸⁾.

Avoid moisture - use a skin barrier product

Skin barrier products are used to manage the level of moisture next to the skin in conjunction with a skin-care routine to keep the skin clean and dry. It is essential to wash the skin using a non-perfumed soap with a natural pH balance.

These products efficiently prevents skin breakdown associated with excessive body fluid exposure. It acts as a lasting protective barrier on patients' skin. When applied, it is quickly absorbed, leaving an invisible breathable water repellent layer, resistant to wash-off. Barrier film may be used on intact or damaged skin particularly at fixation sites for tubes and catheters protecting the periwound areas.

Foam dressings - ease pressure and prevent friction

Areas such as the heels or sacrum are especially exposed non-stop to pressure and friction. Therefore, they need more protection. In addition to applying moisture management, anatomically shaped hydrocellular dressings are available to ease pressure.

Prone to sores – every body part

Bony protrusions are not the only parts of the body which are exposed to pressure and friction. Other parts are affected, too. For example, when a patient is lying in a supine position, which is the preferred position for critical COVID-19 patients.

Foam dressing with a silicone adhesive which ensures gentle, secure adherence and minimal trauma during dressing changes. It can be cut and shaped for application on smaller areas which need protection. This will be useful for difficult-to-dress or moving areas (knees, elbows, skin folds) as they are able to conform to a variety of anatomical contours.

^References:

^{1) Gefen, A. How much time does it take to get a pressure ulcer? Integrated evidence from human, animal, and in vitro studies. HYPERLINK "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18927481"Ostomy Wound Manage. 2008 Oct;54(10):26-8, 30-5.}

^{2) Range varies among settings and classification method.} 

• ^{Bereded DT, Salih MH, Abebe AE. Prevalence and risk factors of pressure ulcer in hospitalized adult patients; a single center study from Ethiopia. BMC Res Notes. 2018;11(1):847. Published 2018 Nov 29. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6267874/}
• ^{Vanderwee K, Clark M, Dealey C, Gunningberg L, Defloor T. Pressure ulcer prevalence in Europe: a pilot study. J Eval Clin Pract. 2007;13(2):227-35. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17378869)}
• ^{Barrois B, Labalette C, Rousseau P, et al. A national prevalence study of pressure ulcers in French hospital inpatients. J Wound Care. 2008;17(9):373-6, 378-9. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18833894)}
• ^{Shahin ES, Dassen T, Halfens RJ. Pressure ulcer prevalence and incidence in intensive care patients: a literature review. Nurs Crit Care. 2008;13(2):71-9 (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18289185)}
• ^{Vangilder C, Lachenbruch C, Algrim-boyle C, Meyer S. The International Pressure Ulcer Prevalence™ Survey: 2006-2015: A 10-Year Pressure Injury Prevalence and Demographic Trend Analysis by Care Setting. J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs. 2017;44(1):20-28.(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27977509)}

^{3) Chapter 12- Pressure Ulcers: A Patient Safety Issue (2008), Agency for HealthCare Research and Policy (US).}

^{4) Downie, F. & Sandoz, Heidi & Gilroy, P. & Royall, Dawn & Davies, S.. (2013). Are 95% of hospital-acquired pressure ulcers avoidable?. Wounds UK. 9. 16-22.} 

^{5) https://www.epuap.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/quick-reference-guide-digital-npuap-epuap-pppia-jan2016.pdf}

^{6) Jimenez Torres, J. Acidos Grasos Hiperoxigenados (AGHO) en el tratamiento y prevencion de las ulceras por presion, ulceras vasculares y pie diabetico. Panorama actual del medicamento 2010; 34} (336):695-701

^{7) Declair V. The usefulness of topical application of essential fatty acids (EFA) to prevent pressure ulcers. Ostomy Wound Manage. 1997;43(5):48-52, 54.}

^{8) Colin D, Chomard D, Bois C, Saumet JL, Desvaux B, Marie M. An evaluation of hyper-oxygenated fatty acid esters in pressure sore management. J Wound Care. 1998;7(2):71-2.}