Preventing Pressure Ulcers

Pressure ulcers are a major problem – an avoidable adverse event! They are costly not only to the patient but to the healthcare facility as well. Pressure ulcers are painful, disfiguring and can result in osteomyelitis, limb amputation and death.

Are you a doctor with immobile patients at risk of pressure ulcers because of their immobility—or worse still do some of your patients already have pressure ulcers? Are you concerned about litigation?

Are you the manager of a healthcare facility worried about staff injuring their backs because they have to reposition patients constantly throughout the 24 hours in an attempt to prevent pressure ulcers – and yet patients still develop pressure ulcers?

Are you an exhausted nurse trying to keep up with ‘two-hourly turns’ for your patients around the clock? Concerned that your patients are so sleep deprived because every time you reposition them you wake them up – no matter how hard you try – and pressure ulcers still occur!

Do you need ideas of what to buy with money donated to your facility? How about alternating pressure air mattress (APAM) overlays to prevent pressure ulcers and reduce the risk of back injuries in staff that have to reposition patients? This is the perfect Gift For Your Bedridden Elderly Relative Or Resident – and a Gift you can leave to the facility.

How do I choose an APAM? Is the best APAM expensive? Aren’t all air mattresses the same? What’s the difference between an alternating pressure air mattress and a constant low pressure mattress?

For most patients an APAM overlay, rather than a full mattress replacement is fine. You won’t have to take the existing mattress off the bed (an OH&S issue) nor will you have to find somewhere to store it (Who has storage space!). Choose a mattress with side-formers so that patients won’t roll out of bed. Choose an APAM that is automatic so that it is always set correctly. Choose one that can never be accidentally set on static mode – a major cause of pressure ulcers!