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Pressure relief splinting for an infant: a systemic approach
1Stollery Children's Hospital, AB. adelle_denys@hotmail.com
Insights
A novel splinting method provided total pressure relief for an infant with a heel pressure sore, achieving complete healing in one month. This intervention is crucial for infants with complex medical histories.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric occupational therapy
- Wound healing in infants
- Pressure injury prevention
Background:
- Case report on a 6-month-old infant with a grade II heel pressure sore.
- Traditional pressure relief methods (gel pads, repositioning) are less effective in active infants.
- Infants with multiple systemic diagnoses are prone to rapid pressure sore deterioration.
Observation:
- A unique splinting design was implemented for an infant with complex medical history.
- The splint aimed to provide total pressure relief, addressing limitations of conventional methods.
- The infant's active developmental stage (reciprocal kicking) influenced intervention selection.
Findings:
- Early initiation of total pressure relief led to complete visual healing within one month.
- The splint was worn for six weeks to prevent recurrence in the susceptible skin area.
- The specialized splint design proved effective for this specific pediatric case.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of tailored pressure relief strategies for infants.
- Demonstrates the efficacy of innovative splinting in pediatric wound management.
- Informs occupational therapists on selecting efficient interventions for complex pediatric cases.
Background:
This case report describes a unique splinting design used on a 6 month-old infant with a grade II heel pressure sore. Traditional methods of attaining pressure relief such as gel pads and repositioning may benefit an inactive, relatively healthy child. However, a 6 month-old infant who is actively at the developmental age of reciprocal kicking is less likely to respond to these interventions. Furthermore, children with multiple systemic diagnosis may demonstrate a rapid deterioration of their pressure sore when the most effective intervention is not initially chosen.
Method:
This paper reviews the multiple systems which impact wound healing to assist the occupational therapist in choosing efficient methods of pressure relief. The splint design described was chosen due to the age and the complex medical history of the infant.
Practice Implications:
The effectiveness of total pressure relief initiated early in the infant's treatment resulted in complete visual healing within one month. It was worn for six weeks to avoid recurrence on an already susceptible area of skin.
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