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1Tissue Viability Service, Sandwell Healthcare NHS Trust, West Midlands.
Insights
Existing pressure-relieving equipment is unsuitable for children, increasing their risk of pressure injuries. A new product specifically designed for pediatric patients is introduced to address this gap and aid nurses in preventing harm.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nursing
- Biomedical Engineering
- Patient Safety
Background:
- Limited availability of pressure-relieving equipment for pediatric patients.
- Existing equipment is often designed for neonates or adults, posing risks for older children.
- Children are at increased risk of pressure injury due to inappropriate support surfaces.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the inadequacy of current pressure ulcer prevention tools for children.
- To introduce a novel pressure-relieving product designed for pediatric use.
- To address the challenges faced by nurses in providing safe care for children at risk of pressure injury.
Main Methods:
- Literature review on pediatric pressure ulcer prevention.
- Identification of a gap in specialized equipment for children.
- Introduction of a new pediatric-specific pressure-relieving device.
Main Results:
- Current pressure-relieving equipment is largely inappropriate for pediatric patients.
- Children face elevated risks of pressure injury when using adult-designed support systems.
- A new product designed for pediatric patients is now available.
Conclusions:
- There is a critical need for pediatric-specific pressure ulcer prevention equipment.
- The newly introduced product aims to mitigate risks and support nurses in pediatric care.
- Addressing this equipment gap is essential for upholding the duty of care in pediatric nursing.
Abstract:
While a plethora of pressure-relieving and reducing equipment is available to nurses for the prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers, very little of it is specifically designed or appropriate for paediatric patients. The limited choice that does exist concentrates on neonates or babies, which is problematic for the nurse dealing with the older child. Children may be at increased risk of developing pressure injury as a result of the forces of friction, shearing and pressure that results from being nursed on a support system designed for the adult patient. This gap in service provision may cause dilemmas for the nurse who has a duty to 'cause no harm' (UKCC, 1992) in his/her attempt to protect and treat a child. This article introduces a new product available from Karomed (a division of the Verna Group) that has been specifically designed with the child in mind.