Pressure ulcer risk of patient handling sling use

A narrative review on pressure ulcer (PU) studies relevant to medical imaging

Pressure ulcers (PUs) are defined as localised injuries to the skin and/or underlying tissue as a result of pressure or pressure together with shear. PUs present significant health implications to patients; costing billions to manage and/or treat. The burden of PU prevention in hospitals must be the concern of all healthcare professionals, including radiographers. The purpose of this narrative review article was to identify and critically evaluate relevant literature and research conducted into pressure ulcers (PUs) relevant to medical imaging. It is expected that this review article will increase the level of awareness about PUs amongst radiographers and help to develop appropriate interventions to minimise the risk of PUs. A literature search was conducted in PubMed/Medline, Scopus, CINAHL, and Google Scholar to retrieve relevant articles. Also, books, professional body guidelines, magazines, grey and unpublished literatures were also searched. The search was limited to English Language articles. Only five articles were retrieved and reviewed. There are limited studies on PUs relevant to medical imaging. Available studies provide some evidence that radiographic procedures and settings subject patients attending for radiographic procedures to the risk of PUs. Further studies are needed into PU risk assessment, minimisation and management in medical imaging to help raise awareness and address the problem of the potential for PU development.

An automatic repositioning system to prevent pressure ulcers: a case series

The Danish automated Vendlet V5s repositioning system is intended to reduce pressure ulcer risk in patients and work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in caregivers. In two Belgian nursing homes, 13 residents with mobility levels C, D and E experienced the repositioning system, operated by 35 caregivers, for 4 weeks. Data about skin condition, nursing time needed for repositioning and MSD symptoms were collected. The use of the repositioning system was not associated with the development of nor a reduction in skin problems; the study included residents who were vulnerable to or already had pressure ulcers. In addition, four pressure ulcers healed during the experiment. The research focused only on the automated repositioning system. Repositioning frequency and postures were determined by the standard nursing home protocol. Frequency depended on the support surface in use, and a limited number of patient criteria (mobility in bed, presence of bony prominences/pressure points and presence of non-blanchable erythema). In future studies, the Vendlet V5s system should be tested with a more individualised patient repositioning protocol, including more criteria such as fever and moisture. The automated system reduces nursing time so could potentially improve staff efficiency. Compared with manual repositioning, caregivers perceived fewer work-related MSD symptoms during repositioning when using the Vendlet V5s system. Controlled studies with larger samples are needed to verify these conclusions.