Pressure ulcer Cat. II-IV incidence on the CuroCell S.A.M. PRO powered reactive air support surface in a high-risk population: A multicentre cohort study in 12 Belgian nursing homes

Prevention of pressure injuries using a non-motorised decompression air mattress: a non-interventional study

OBJECTIVE

Prevention of pressure injuries (PI) is a public health issue. Among the preventive measures, the use of support surfaces adapted to the risk of PI occurrence is recommended. This study aimed to report the incidence of PIs in patients at medium-to-high risk of occurrence of PIs and using a new non-motorised automated decompression air mattress combined with other recommended PI prevention measures.

METHOD

An observational, national, multicentre, prospective, non-comparative study, with a follow-up period of 35 days was conducted. Patients at medium-to-high risk of PIs and without PIs at baseline were included if they were lying on a specific non-powered automated decompression air mattress. The primary outcome was the percentage of patients who developed at least one category 2 or more severe PI of the sacrum, backbone or heel between day 0 and day 35.

RESULTS

In total, 81 patients were included from four participating centres. There was one report of a patient with a PI that fitted within the definition of the primary outcome, meaning an incidence of 1.2% (95% confidence interval (CI) 0-6.7%). More than 80% of patients rated the overall comfort and the stability of the non-motorised automated decompression air mattress as satisfactory or very satisfactory. In more than 80% of cases, the healthcare teams found the use of the mattress to be easy or very easy.

CONCLUSION

This study has shown that in combination with other preventive measures, the use of a specific non-motorised air mattress with automated decompression is associated with a low incidence of PIs in patients with medium-to-high risk of occurrence of PIs.

Incidence of pressure ulcer in patients using an alternating pressure mattress overlay: the ACTIVE study

OBJECTIVE

The primary objective was to determine the clinical benefit of using a specific alternating-pressure mattress overlay (APMO) in the prevention of pressure ulcer (PU) in patients at medium to high risk.

METHOD

This prospective study was conducted in five rehabilitation centres and three nursing homes. Patients at medium to high risk of PU, but without PU at baseline, and lying between 15 and 20 hours per day on a specific APMO were included. The primary endpoint was the percentage of patients who developed a sacral, spine, heel or trochanteric PU (supine support areas) of at least category II, at day 35. All patients were included in the analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 89 patients were included; of whom six patients (6.7%) dropped out of the study (average (±standard deviation) follow-up 32±5.4 days). No sacral, spine, heel or trochanteric PU of at least category II was reported (i.e., an incidence of 0% [95% Confidence Interval: 0-4.1%] according to the exact Clopper-Pearson method]. Patients were 'satisfied' or 'very satisfied' with the comfort and stability of the APMO. The caregivers assessed as 'very easy' or 'easy' the implementation, maintenance and use of the APMO (turning over, moving to a sitting position).

CONCLUSION

In combination with the usual measures to prevent PU, the results of our study showed a low incidence of PU in high-risk patients lying for between 15 and 20 hours a day on an APMO, use of which is therefore recommended in these patients.

An exploration of nursing home residents' experiences of a non-powered static air mattress overlay to prevent pressure ulcers

Pressure ulcers are injuries to the skin and underlying tissue and are associated with a negative impact on well-being and health-related quality of life. This explorative, qualitative study aimed to explore the true meaning of elderly nursing home residents' perspectives and critical success factors when implementing a new non-powered static air mattress overlay to prevent pressure ulcers. Individual, loosely structured interviews were conductedin 12 nursing homes in Flanders, the Northern region of Belgium, a convenience sampling of 14 nursing home residents were selected based on the following eligibility criteria: high risk for pressure ulcer and/or with category 1 pressure ulcer, being bedbound and/or chair-bound, aged >65 years, and use of an alternating air pressure mattress previous to the application of the non-powered static air mattress overlay. Interviews were conducted in the participants' personal rooms between June 2017 and March 2018. Interviews included broad, open-ended questions, to invite and encourage participants to openly discuss their perspectives and experiences. Participants were interviewed once during the 14-day observation period between day 3 and day 14. All interviews were audio-recorded and fully transcribed by an experienced transcriber. Interviews were read several times to reveal emerging patterns and were marked with codes into NVivo 10 qualitative data analysis software. During the process, (sub) themes were discussed by the authors until a consensus was reached. Three main themes emerged from the analysis process: rest and sleep; mobility; and discomfort and pain associated with the use of the support surface. Themes were divided into multiple subthemes: motion, noise, sensation, repositioning, and transfer in and out of bed. Through interviews, critical success factors associated with the implementation were identified, including the lack of information and time needed to evaluate the functionality and effects of a new mattress overlay. Implementation of a non-powered static air mattress overlay to prevent pressure ulcers has a far-reaching impact on nursing home residents' experiences. This study provides insight into the true meaning of patients' perspectives by focusing on learning from the patients' experiences that provide valuable information for healthcare professionals and other stakeholders.

Pressure ulcer Cat. II-IV incidence on the CuroCell S.A.M. PRO powered reactive air support surface in a high-risk population: A multicentre cohort study in 12 Belgian nursing homes

The primary objective was to study pressure ulcer (PU) category II-IV (including suspected deep tissue injury and unstageable PUs) cumulative incidence and PU incidence density, in a 30day observation period, associated with the use of the CuroCell S.A.M. PRO powered reactive air support surface in nursing home residents at risk for PU development. Secondary objectives were to study (a) PU category I cumulative incidence and PU incidence density and (b) user (caregivers and residents) experiences and perceptions of comfort associated with the use of the support surface under study. A multicentre cohort study was set up in 37 care units of 12 Belgian nursing homes. The sample consisted of 191 residents at risk of PU development (Braden score ≤ 17). The cumulative PU incidence was 4.7% (n = 9). The PU incidence density was 1.7/1000 observation days (9 PU/5370 days). The experience and perceptions of comfort analysis revealed that the CuroCell S.A.M. PRO powered reactive air support surface was comfortable for daily use. The mode of action and the quietness of the pump function had a positive impact on sleep quality. Patient comfort and sleep quality are essential criteria in the selection of a support surface.