Pressure Relieving Equipment For Pressure Ulcers

Pressure relieving devices such as beds mattresses heel troughs splints and pillows are used as part of the treatment to reduce or relieve the pressure on the ulcer.

Pressure relieving equipment for pressure ulcers.

Broadly speaking equipment works by either redistributing or relieving the pressure. Pressure visualization system advances in technology have made visual monitoring of the patient for pressure injury ulcer risk an option for health care providers. Pressure relieving mattresses are a key component of pressure ulcer prevention practice and lack of evidence of comparative effectiveness may lead to widespread adoption of high tech solutions vs low tech without demonstrated patient benefit. Using pressure relieving devices to prevent pressure ulcers.

Pressure ulcers also known as pressure sores decubitus ulcers and bed sores are areas of localised damage to the skin and underlying tissue believed to be caused by pressure shear or friction. You should be encouraged to change position often and at least every 6 hours. Despite pressure care being high on the health and social care agenda of late prevalence of pressure ulcers is still high and treating them costs the nhs over 1 4 million a day. The european pressure ulcer advisory panel aim to provide relief for people suffering from or at risk of pressure ulcers through research and the education of the public and by influencing pressure ulcer policy in all european countries towards an adequate patient centred and cost effective pressure ulcer care.

Surgery may sometimes be needed. 10th december 2018 a guide to pressure ulcers and pressure relief equipment. This is done by moving around and changing position. Pressure relieving surfaces widely known as alternating mattresses and cushions alternately apply and remove pressure.

To find out more read our pressure ulcer prevention and management guide. Pressure care is a vital area of medicine. Moving and regularly changing your position helps to relieve the pressure on ulcers that have already developed. Pressure relieving devices such as high specification foam mattresses and overlays mould or contour around the body spreading the weight and relieving pressure over bony areas that are at risk of developing pressure ulcers.

One of the best ways of preventing a pressure ulcer is to reduce or relieve pressure on areas that are most likely to develop pressure ulcers for example bony parts of the body. Pressure relief equipment is designed to help ease the conditions of the patient by improving their comfort and reducing unnecessary strain which might have previously been placed on carers.