| |
|
| |
the following paper, written under the auspices of Professor Richard White (Head of Tissue Viability, University of Worcester) was published in Wounds UK Journal, volume 4, No.3 – September 2008.
http://www.wounds-uk.com/sept_2008.shtml
|
|
| |
Examining the Carital Optima air-float mattress through patient experience and pressure mapping |
Pressure ulcers can be very painful and distressing for patients and present a significant management problem for healthcare professionals. Over the past few years, a wide variety of mattresses have become available for at-risk patients that aim to provide a pressure-redistributing support surface. One of these products, the Carital Optima mattress, has been designed for a wide range of dependent patients who are being nursed with or without existing pressure area damage. This article details a pressure mapping exercise and looks at three patient case studies to assess the efficacy of the Carital Optima mattress. |
| |
Geoffrey Thompson, Joe Bevins, Sara Hutchcox, Richard White |
| |
 |
|
causative factors of pressure ulcer damage:
>> Pressure
>> Shear
>> Friction
>> Moisture
>> Skin temperature.
While considering the extrinsic
factors, the clinician also has to consider
the wide range of intrinsic factors
that cannot be changed, such as the
patient’s age, sex and physical status, as
well as the intrinsic factors considered
amenable to therapy o r modification, such as disease condition and nutritional
and fluid status. All of these have to
be taken into account when planning
and choosing the appropriate mattress
support surface.
Data has been published indicating
that the appropriate use of effective
pressure-relieving support surfaces. Together with routine nursing
interventions, is central to avoiding
pressure area damage in at-risk patients
as well as facilitating healing where
ulceration is in evidence (Wolverton et
al, 2005; de Laat et al, 2007; Walsh and
Plonczynski, 2007).
The Carital Optima mattress has
been in production for 12 years and
has sold over 10,000 units in the UK, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Holland, Germany, Switzerland, Australia, United
States and Japan. About 800,000 patient <Click to continue>
|
|
uses have been recorded in the acute
sector and 120,000 in long-term care. In the time that the mattress has been
in manufacture there have been no
adverse clinical incidents reported to
the manufacturer.
Mattress types
Over the past few years, a wide variety of mattresses have become available for at-risk patients (Rithalia and Kenney, 2001). These mattresses are pressure-redistributing Support surfaces that can be divided into various groups depending on their characteristics:
Group one
The first group of mattresses is comprised of Pressure reducing surfaces that attempt to minimise interface pressure over the body’s bony prominences. This is achieved by maximising the amount of body surface area that is in contact with the mattress. This type of mattresses is divided into either:
>> Static non - powered systems: these
include those comprised of foam, visco-elastic, gel, liquid, fibre or inert
air cells
>> Dynamic-powered systems: these
are low air-loss or hybrid mattresses
such as the Softform Premier Active
(Invacare UK, Bridgend), a static
foam mattress with alternating cells
below a foam top layer.
>> The Carital Optima (Nexus DMS, Droitwich) low air pressure system. <Click to continue>
|
Having a pressure ulcer can be a painful and distressing experience with physical, psychological, social and economic consequences for patients, their families and healthcare facilities. Hibbs (1988ab) and Waterlow (1988) state that the majority of pressure ulcers are preventable. Indeed, subsequent published evidence supports this, claiming that the majority of pressure ulcers are preventable (a 5% incidence being the lowest achievable rate with current knowledge, equipment, and practice) (Harrison et al, 2008; Rashotte et al, 2008). Jay (1995) has identified five key extrinsic factors thought to be the <Click to continue > |
Geoff Thompson is Independent Tissue Viability Nurse
Consultant and Visiting Lecturer, Joe Bevins is Senior
Technical Engineer, Motion Analysis Research and
Rehabilitation Centre, and Richard White is Professor of
Tissue Viability, University of Worcester, Worcester and
Sara Hutchcox is Tissue Viability Specialist, Warwickshire
Primary Care Trust |
| |
|
|
