Paper Outline
Introduction
Pressure mattress as an innovation
Recommendations
Conclusion
Reference list
Pressure mattress as an innovation
Introduction
In general, good sleep is facilitated by a good mattress. Many people are interrupted in their sleep by pain and physical discomfort for several nights in a week. Pressure ulcers are caused by this discomfort and pain, and this has devastating effects on both the patient and healthcare giver. Health institutions are faced with huge costs in treating pressure ulcers and not withstanding the risk of litigation from the patient’s family. The best way to address the issue of pressure ulcers is through prevention measures. This is done using therapeutic equipment that help and assist in the prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers (Hogstel, 2001).
In the recent past, there have been a lot of technological advances made in the medical sector. This includes the invention of pressure mattresses. Pressure mattresses are special mattresses made to heal and prevent the effects of bed sores. Alternating pressure mattresses ensure that pressure points or bony prominences do not apply constant pressure to enhance the risk of getting pressure sores. Alternating pressure mattresses are equipment and systems designed for the purpose of medical treatment. They consist of mattresses with numerous air cells that can be filled and emptied in alternating patterns. Powered mattresses usually have rotational features that assist or aid in the prevention of pulmonary complications that patients develop. Powered mattresses also come with in-built sensors that can measure the patient’s weight. Subsequently, this moves the mattresses to prevent any development of bedsores. This is the case especially for patients who require long bed rest time (Miller, 2009).
Pressure mattress as an innovation
Pressure sores pose a big challenge to health care providers and patients. Pressure sores refer to an area of the skin, which is broken and may even extend deep towards the bone. They cause pain and serious infections that may lead to fatalities. Pressure ulcers are also known to prolong hospitalisation more than it would have been required thereby increasing the cost of treating patients. Most old aged patients are faced with the challenge of mobility. They often stay in one position for hours, some due to immobility caused by weak limbs. Pressure ulcers and sores most often emanatefrom lack of mobility. Patients who are immobile for long periods stand a high chance of suffering from pressure ulcers (Penzer&Ersser, 2010).
There are various types of therapeutic powered mattresses and some of them include low air loss mattresses, alternating pressure mattresses, lateral rotation mattresses and heavy duty powered mattresses. Low air loss mattresses are therapeutic devices that give relief to patients up to 300lbs. They are usually used by patients who are not able to move freely. They also aid in decubitus ulcers treatment and act as a form of prevention and treatment to pressure ulcers. There are new versions of pressure mattresses that provide good and adequate air flow to enhance skin dryness. This provides pressure relief and minimises the risk of bed sores (Comerford, 2006).
Alternating pressure mattresses aid in healing current pressure ulcers and preventing the possibility of development of new ulcers. They focus on pressure points, as well as bony prominences ensuring that they do not get continuous pressure thus lowering the chances of getting pressure sores. Lateral rotation mattresses are built to curb the risk of circulation problems and bed sores. They allow nurses to program the control unit in order to rotate after a given interval. This is convenient compared to making frequent visits to the patient’s bed to press the rotate button whenever rotation is needed. The turning and shifting of the patient weight greatly minimises the risk of contracting complications. Heavy duty powered mattresses are the best choice for protection of patients who are susceptible to developing pressure ulcers. They can also be used by families that receive unexpected overnight visitors. Such mattresses provide an instant bed for overnight visitors (Belland& Wells, 1986).
In a study carried out on the effectiveness of Australian Medical Sheepskin (AMS), it was established that AMS could act as an effective therapeutic device in the prevention of sacral pressure ulcers in patients. The number of occurrence of pressure ulcers was lower than what was initially expected based on the scanty literature review on the matter (Mistiaen, et al, 2010; Mistiaen, Achterberg&Francke, 2010). Pressure mattresses are used in prevention and treatment of patients with or who are most likely to develop pressure sores. In this case, the choice of the mattress is made based on the weight and seriousness of the pressure sore (Jonsson, Lindén, Lindgren, Malmqvist&Bäcklund, 2005).
Research has shown that the development of pressure ulcer is mainly caused by two major factors. This includes the intensity and duration or interface pressure. Interface pressure can be equalized or redistributed by moving or turning the body using the necessary equipment and support surfaces such as pressure mattresses. For patients under intensive care, they need to be moved so as to facilitate the redistribution of their interface pressure. In general, pressure sores are caused when soft tissue is compressed between a bony protrusion and external surface for a long time. This is common among patients suffering from sensory or mobility deficiencies (Sakai, et al, 2009).
Research has shown that where nurses are not able to perform repositioning effectively, it is advisable to use computerised mattress systems. Pressure mattresses are effective and can be programmed to turn the patient’s body weight after some time as recommended by the doctor without manual supervision from the nurses. It was also noted that, during the night and evening shifts, the number of nurses on duty is usually insignificant as compared to day shifts. This means that nurses did not have enough time to provide specialised care to each patient. This prompted the recommendation of using pressure mattresses. It was further noted that the use of pressure mattresses reduced the amount of labour required from nursing attendants during shifts (Catz, Zifroni& Philo, 2005).
It has been noted that pressure ulcers are a big problem to both patient and healthcare providers as they are very complex and expensive to treat. In this era of high professional standards, nursing leaders should establish procedures to minimise complications and maximise on quality and financial efficiency. Such efforts will benefit the patient, health care givers, and the health care sector in general. There is no clear evidence on how to prevent pressure ulcers among the debilitated and immobile ICU patients. Pressure mattresses can be used as a stopgap measure (Jackson, et al, 2011).
In paediatric research, it was observed that pressure ulcers occur in different places among children and infants as compared to adults. This was attributed to the fact that, at different stages of growth, children have different weight distribution and skin surface area. It has been noted that pressure mattresses are essential tools in the management of pressure ulcers. However, there is no clear guideline to help clinician in choosing between the various devices in the market. There is no scientific proof that has been advanced to suggest the best device in the market today. Nonetheless, evidence from previous studies show that pressure mattresses relieve interface pressure. However, adequately constructed and randomly organised clinical research is being done on this issue. It was observed that infants placed on pressure mattress devices experienced low levels of pressure ulcers compared to others who were not placed on such devices (Hegner, Acello& Caldwell, 2010).
The availability of pressure reduction mattresses in all health care institutions plays an important part in maintaining the skin of high risk patients. In addition, it supports quality indicator initiatives in old age care. Pressure reduction is achieved in various ways: static and dynamic systems. Static systems rely on the ability of the device used to take or copy the shape of the body. The foam mattresses can be a good example. On the other hand, dynamic systems are controlled by control unit that increases or decreases pressure. Different devices have different numbers of cells. In general, decisions on the device to use are governed by considerations such as the cost and assessment of the patient in question. Other considerations include skin assessment, comfort, care needs, identified levels of risk and acceptability of the device to the patient and care giver. Low air loss beds are used to provide relief from pressure to patients who suffer from skin problems and other risk factors. They relieve pressure and leave the patient feeling cool and dry. They have a special feature such as deflate switches that are used in the event of emergencies (Timby, 2009).
In several studies carried out, no evidence has shown that foam overlay or alternating pressure pad is significantly effective in preventing breakage of skin. When comparing alternating pressure pads, air mattress overlay and water mattress overlay in patient admitted to the ICU; it was observed that patient on alternating pads had extensive sacral and heel pressure sores. In a separate study, it was observed that pressure mattresses were quite effective compared to normal hospital mattresses. It was noted that high risk patients in the ICU using pressure mattresses developed fewer cases of pressure ulcers. Some scholars have advocated for the use of dynamic rather than static systems. Nonetheless, research has not shown any significant differences (Maklebust&Sieggreen, 2000).
Alternating pressure mattresses are mechanical devices controlled by a control unit that alters the contact area of the patient’s body at programmed intervals. They ensure that the body’s weight is evenly distributed and that no area suffers from interface pressure. The first form of pressure mattresses was known as the simple ripple system. In a recent study that compared seven different mattress overlays, it was revealed that large cell ripple mattresses were efficient and effective in healing and prevention of pressure sore in old age patient care (Rai& Mulley, 2007).
Research conducted on various forms of skin and wound care indicates that pressure mattresses are very effective in the prevention and healing/treatment of sores and wounds. Although pressure mattresses have been shown to be effective, they cannot be used in isolation. This is because patients differ in weight and medical complications. Other systems of support can be used to compliment pressure mattresses such as pillows, changing the bed’s elevation, lifting devices such a trapeze, repositioning and foam wedges (Hess & Hess, 2008).
In most cases, when clinicians talk about horizontal support mechanism, they refer to beds, mattresses overlays, and mattresses. Such products use foam, gels, water, and air to minimise the amount of pressure in contact with the body from external sources. Pressure mattresses use the manipulation of air to cushion the body against pressure. Air mattresses inflate and deflate air simultaneously through tubes in the mattresses to distribute pressure (Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2009).
Pressure mattresses have many advantages. This includes the fact that pressure mattress are very comfortable. This is because the mattresses are made from memory foam-a material that give way to pressure from the body and conforms to the body shape. There is no reason for the patient to turn or toss so as to find a comfortable position. Pressure mattresses are proved to be long lasting than normal mattresses. They can easily be adjusted without the need of moving the patient. In addition, these mattresses can facilitate the flow of air on the patient’s skin hence keeping it dry. They also assist in the prevention of pressure sore during patient care. Lastly, these mattresses are light in weight hence can be carried easily. This allows patients to move with them when they travel (Eckman, 2011).
Recommendations
Pressure mattresses are durable and last longer than the normal mattresses. Their use should be encouraged as it saves on costs.
The use of pressure mattresses is effective and convenient as there will be no need to hire many nurses.
Pressure mattresses come in various forms and sizes hence they are the most appropriate support devices to use. Different patients have different needs to that should be addressed.
Pressure mattresses are flexible and take the shape of the body hence making the patient comfortable.
Pressure mattresses are programmed to make automated adjustments thereby limiting the nurses from making frequent visits to the patient’s bed.
Conclusion
Innovations are meant to make life easy. In old age care, the pressure mattress is an innovation that has facilitated the care and treatment of pressure sores. Although there are many support devices in the market, they all work in coordination as none can work in isolation. There is no single alternative that effectively works without the use of other alternatives. It is essential that patients and care givers should conduct extensive research and make consultation with experts on the best mix to use. Patients have different needs such that what patient (A) needs may not be similar to what patient (B) requires. Each patient’s case is unique and needs a unique solution. The support surface that a patient requires depends on various factors. This may include the general health of the patient; the ability of the patient to turn their bodies; the body weight of the patient and the current condition of the patient. Other considerations would include cost of maintenance, durability, availability, and patient preferences. The use of pressure mattresses should be encouraged among the old age. This is because they have proved to be critical in preventing and treating pressure sore among the old age in nursing care. Sometimes, nurses are very busy and may not have time to provide special care to an individual patient. The use of pressure mattresses allows the nurse to attend to patients effectively.
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