November 17th is worldwide Stop Pressure Ulcer Day 2016. Pressure ulcer treatment in the UK costs a total of £1.4–£2.1 billion each year and there are approximately 180,000 pressure ulcers developing each year in the NHS. Pressure ulcers are not only a significant health risk but they are a costly burden to care homes worldwide. With an increasingly aging population, this extreme cost is only set to rise in future years. The tragedy is that most pressure ulcers are preventable and advanced pressure relief devices are available to help prevent them. This Stop Pressure Ulcer Day we want you to know that Beaucare provides effective pressure relief solutions that also work to greatly relieve the cost burden that pressure ulcers represent to the care sector.
Groups at Risk of Pressure Ulceration
Some of those who can be susceptible to pressure sores and would benefit from the use of pressure relief devices include:
- The elderly (specifically those over 65)
- Individuals with limited mobility or who participate in minimal physical activity
- Postoperative patients or individuals confined to a bed for a long period of time
- Individuals with sensory impairment
- Sufferers of obesity
- Those with a history of pressure ulceration
- Those with incontinence or other ailments that increase skin moisture
- Individuals with poor circulation levels due to oedema, vascular problems or diabetes
- Individuals with malnutrition/dehydration
- Individuals who require oxygen use, sedatives, dopamine or postoperative steroid therapy
Extrinsic factors should also be taken into account such as friction, shearing, moisture to the skin and various medications. In detecting the early signs of pressure sores, carers should observe any changes in the condition of a patient’s skin and be wary of increased body temperature.
Pressure Ulcer Prevention Techniques
Care plans should be set in place for groups a particular at risk of pressure ulceration. There are a number of ways carers can try to prevent the development of pressure ulcers such as changing the position of a patient in bed regularly, restricting chair sitting to under 2 hours for at-risk patients and ensuring that patient skin is cleaned and moisturised following periods of incontinence. The majority of pressure ulcers are preventable but in some circumstances it isn’t possible to prevent pressure ulcers developing, this is when extra measures should be taken.
Pressure sores should be dressed appropriately according to the individual clinical requirements, pressure relieving products serve as effective in both the prevention and treatment of pressure sores. It essential that carers assess whether or not the mattress/cushion is intact for use, for example if it is an air mattress is it fully inflated. It is also fundamental that the patient has the appropriate mattress or cushion surface to suit their individual requirements.
Pressure Relief Devices That Are Available
Beaucare stocks a wide range of pressure relief products which are designed to suit patients of all risks and various degrees of severity of condition. It is intrinsic that patients have the pressure devices designed for their specific requirements so they receive the optimum quality of care and treatment. Some of our pressure relief devices include:
Pressure relief mattresses are especially important as they provide bedbound patients with the therapeutic pressure care they need. Some mattresses provide static support surfaces designed to redistribute pressure and others are comprised of alternating support surfaces with inflatable cells alternately inflating and deflating to offer an active variation of pressure. These mattresses are specifically designed for those who are confined to their beds and are technologically adapted to prevent pressure sores from forming or increasing in severity.
Pressure relief cushions provide an effective redistribution of pressure which is essential for patients spending a lot of the time sat down, cushions provide pressure therapy that can help reduce the risk of any complications or problems that arise from excessive pressure.
The use of dynamic pressure relieving devices such as elbow cushions, medical fleeces, heel or foot protection devices should also be considered as they provide further pressure therapy to at-risk patients. The pressure relieving properties of these devices are ideal for physically active individuals who may still be a little frail.
Please feel free to talk to our friendly sales team if you have any questions or queries regarding the specifics of our pressure relief range. Call us on