A Guide to Pressure Management and Care
Transcription
A Guide to Pressure Management and Care
A Guide to Pressure Management and Care Sitting or lying for long periods of time without changing your position can cause pressure injuries. What causes pressure areas? Sitting or lying for long periods of time without changing your position can reduce blood supply, oxygen and nutrients to some areas of your body. This can damage the skin and underlying muscle, leading to a pressure injury (PI) or ulcers. • • • • • • • Poor hygiene Excessively moist or dry skin Long term illness Being overweight or underweight Diabetes Medications such as sedatives Dementia. PI’s are most common over the heels, bottom, elbows, shoulders, ears, and lower back. They are serious and can sometimes cause complications that may require hospitalisation. What are the signs? • Areas of redness on the skin • Broken skin • Skin numbness, tingling, discomfort or pain. Who is at risk? The elderly are particularly at risk, but PI’s can occur at any age. You or the person you care for may be at risk of developing a PI due to: • Reduced independent mobility or paralysis – unable to independently change sitting or lying position • People who are bed or chair bound • Reduced activity • Poor circulation • Poor sensation • Incontinence • Poor nutrition and inadequate fluid intake Check, check, check! PI’s can begin to develop within hours. People at risk should check their skin daily. People at high risk should have their skin checked several times each day. Report any changes to a health professional immediately so appropriate treatment can start as soon as possible. Prevention is always better than cure. Guide to Pressure Management and Care The Independent Living Centre provides a free and impartial information and advisory service to help you choose the right product for you Almost all pressure injuries are preventable. In addition to regular skin checks: • Repositioning should be undertaken to reduce time and amount of pressure over vulnerable areas • Ensure skin is clean, dry and well moisturized. Use non-perfumed, non drying pH balanced products and avoid massaging or rubbing susceptible areas • Manage incontinence problems – contact a Continence Advisor for support • Ensure clothing, sheets and cushion covers are clean and wrinkle free • Empty pockets in clothing • Check that you are not lying or sitting on other objects • Be careful when getting into and out of bed or transferring on and off other surfaces as skin can be easily damaged • Please refer to a health professional or the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel www.npuap.org for further information With advice from an Occupational Therapist use appropriate equipment to: Change position Using, for example, a slide sheet, hoist, bed rail, electric bed, and electric recliner lift chair or electric wheelchair. Reduce or relieve pressure Using mattresses, overlays or cushions made of special foam, air, gel or a combination of these. Protect the area Use ear, elbow or heel protectors. Only use the mattress or cushion cover provided with the equipment as they are also specialised for pressure care. Pressure Redistributing Mattresses and Cushions Foam Can conform to the body when sat or laid on, however it insulates heat and does deteriorate over time. Viscoelastic or memory foams rebound more slowly when weight is removed and conform better to the user than standard elastic foams. Some mattresses and cushions are laser cut to allow the foam to conform even more and also increase airflow. Gel/Fluid Is a semi-solid substance that conforms well to the body, it also features shear reduction properties. It draws heat away from the user, however can be quite cold when first sat or laid on. Usually viscous fluids are combined with other materials e.g. foam to ensure that the fluid is contained and so that it is not able to “bottom out” as easily. Air Is generally the most conforming medium and tends to be light in weight. Air products do require regular maintenance and correct set up. Adequate immersion is vital to achieve low pressure (over inflation increases pressure). They can also be more unstable surfaces which should be considered for transfers and posture. Guide to Pressure Management and Care Dynamic Air Devices Consist of air filled cells connected to an electrically powered pump which will inflate and deflate alternate cells over a period of time. Factors to Consider Comfort, Stability and Transfers… • Always perform all transfers while trialling a device to ensure that it does not reduce independence. These are available in: • Overlays which sit onto an existing mattress. • Mattress replacement systems have a larger cell depth and more complex cycle patterns than an overlay. • Rotation systems rotate the user from lying on one side to the other, useful if the person is immobile and has limited care. • Low air loss systems that release air through microscopic holes in order to reduce heat and moisture on the skin. • Self adjusting systems that automatically adjust the pressure of the cells according to the user’s weight and position. This is useful if the user sits up in bed, as the cells under the bottom will not “bottom out”. • Monitor skin after use and comfort felt by user during use. • Consider whether the user will be able to manage the maintenance of the device. Consider which cover will best protect the cushion, but also manage moisture, heat, shear and friction. Other Materials Honeycomb-shaped polymer material has some conforming properties, however due to its construction it has holes in the material which allow airflow and take heat and moisture away from the body. Other areas of the body that may require protection include heels, elbows, and ears. There is a range of products available specifically for these areas of the body to assist with preventing and managing pressure sores. • • Choosing a Pressure Redistribution Device is only one way of managing pressure, however when use of a device is combined with other strategies the user can significantly reduce their risk. Mattresses, cushions and other pressure management equipment can be trialled or hired through the Independent Living Centre.