Pressure ulcers provide a difficulty for us in the medical field. The weight is centered on the bony protrusions for patients who must remain in bed or sit for extended periods of time; this will cause the skin and local tissues to be squeezed for a long period of time, blood circulation will be restricted, and in severe situations profound tissue necrosis may even develop.

Consequently, prevention of pressure ulcers has inevitably taken front stage in our nursing work. We have to become experts in everyday care in the fundamental ideas, causes, preventative strategies, and application of assistive devices of pressure ulcers. In many respects, our products offer great benefits and can give patients more complete defense. Let us then investigate how modern assistive technologies and scientific approaches could help to efficiently prevent pressure ulcers and raise patients’ quality of life.

Prevention and care of pressure sores

Fundamental ideas on pressure ulcers

The concentration of body weight on bony protrusions causes long-term pressure on local skin tissues, obstructed blood vessel circulation, and deep tissue necrosis, hence producing pressure sores—also known as bedsores. Lying or sitting for more than two hours without any variation will keep the capillaries under pressure, therefore influencing blood circulation. Pressures ulcers usually affect places where body weight is focused, joint flexion spasms, and bony protrusions. Particularly delicate in these places are the tissues and skin.

causes of pressure ulcers

One can separate the etiology of pressure ulcers into internal and external elements. Pressure, shear, friction, and moisture—all of which could injure skin and tissue—are among the outside elements. Internal elements influencing the capacity of the tissue to recuperate are starvation, sensory loss, mobility handicap, and age deterioration. Poor posture, incontinence, disease, and poor care are among the predisposing elements that could aggravate the pressure ulcer formation.

Important Remarks to Avoid Pressure Ulcers

Reducing pressure and decreasing the length of pressure, expanding the pressure area, sitting upright, pressure reduction techniques, nutrition and hydration, lowering friction, avoiding wetness, and skin and body posture check are the secrets to pressure ulcer prevention. By means of these preventive actions, the risk of pressure ulcers can be considerably lowered and skin integrity and health maintained.

Prevention of pressure ulcers using assistive devices

Prevention of pressure ulcers depends much on the usage of assistive equipment. Reducing pressure, distributing pressure, and expanding the pressure area helps patients to have a more pleasant treatment experience. Correct usage of assistive devices can greatly reduce the occurrence of pressure ulcers and enhance the quality of life of the patient.

Assistive device principles and elements

The idea behind assistive devices is based on the occurrence of pressure ulcers equal to pressure times duration. Reducing the level of pressure and limiting the duration pressure is pushed against the skin will help to prevent pressure ulcers rather successfully. Air, gel, polyurethane high-density foam and other materials make up the auxiliary devices to allow more bony protrusions of the body, so distributing pressure and increasing the pressure-bearing surface. The performance of assistive technologies depends critically on the materials chosen.

Home medical seat cushion wheelchair cushion with manual pump

Types of assistive devices

Anti-pressure painful pad pressure conversion

Great relevance for preventing pressure ulcers is the pressure conversion type anti-pressure ulcer pad alternately inflates and deflates the air unit every 5-10 minutes to block the duration of local pressure. By efficiently lowering the risk of pressing the same place for a long period, this dynamic pressure conversion helps to lower the incidence of pressure ulcers.

spherical airbag anti-pressure souch pad

More reasonably priced and able to distribute pressure, the spherical air bag anti-pressure pad uses several balloons to alternate in decompressing. This design guarantees more even distribution of pressure, therefore addressing the issue of too high local pressure and offering patients a more comfortable environment.

Anti-pressure ulcer pad-static type

By enlarging the contact area of the bony protrusions of the body, a static type anti-pressure ulcer pad releases pressure. Patients who must stay in the same posture for extended periods of time will find this kind of assistive tool appropriate since it can help to significantly minimize the development of pressure points.

Posture mat

Cushion Position Preventing pressure ulcers mostly depends on the correct posture one chooses when changing over. Lying on the side at 30° or 60° results in an average body pressure of pressure ulcer-sensitive areas far lower than lying on the supine or 90° side. Correct posture will greatly lower the chance of pressure ulcers and increase patient comfort.

wheelchair cushion for seating

Taking consideration nutritional state and sensory capacities, the objectives of utilizing a wheelchair seat cushion are to lower pressure, offer a pleasant sitting position, preserve good skin condition and postural condition. Wheelchair seat cushion design calls for consideration of several elements to guarantee best pressure relief and comfort.

Selection and maintenance of assistive devices

When selecting assistive devices, you should take into account their comfort, mobility, nutritional value, and pressure relieving ability. Maintaining the clean and dry seat cushion, monitoring the condition of the top layer and foundation, and timely replacement of them are also absolutely vital aspects of proper maintenance. Good maintenance guarantees that assistive devices will keep effectively preventing pressure ulcers and extends their service life.

Customizing assistive devices personally

Customized solutions based on patient needs can be offered via personalized tailored sponge seat cushions, therefore guaranteeing the best pressure relief and comfort. This tailored approach helps to increase the efficacy of pressure ulcer prevention and better fulfill the requirements of various patients.

Medical alternating air mattress is mainly for the treatment of woundcare solutions and healing of pressure ulcers.

Optimize nursing practice and choose the right assistive devices

Prevention of pressure ulcers requires nursing knowledge, patient education, and proper assistive device use from several angles. The opening of this paper helps us to realize how important assistive tools are in avoiding pressure ulcers. Selecting the appropriate assistive tool not only helps patients to feel less pain but also enhances the quality and effectiveness of nursing job. With their great performance and comfort, our devices have evolved into the preferred option for the prevention of pressure ulcers.