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[Special therapeutic surfaces for handling pressure in pediatrics (I). Characteristics and competency]
Pablo García Molina1, Evelin Balaguer López
1Universidad de Valencia.
Insights
Special Therapeutic Surfaces for Handling Pressure (STSHP) adapted for adults are unsafe for children. Pediatric-specific STSHP, particularly static versions, offer a safer, more comfortable, and cost-effective solution for preventing pressure ulcers in pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nursing
- Biomedical Engineering
- Patient Safety
Context:
- Pediatric patients are susceptible to pressure ulcers due to medical technologies.
- Adult-designed Special Therapeutic Surfaces for Handling Pressure (STSHP) are inappropriate and potentially harmful for children.
- Anthropometrical and design differences necessitate pediatric-specific solutions.
Purpose:
- To highlight the risks of using adult STSHP in pediatric care.
- To advocate for the adaptation of STSHP for pediatric patients.
- To identify optimal STSHP characteristics for pediatric use.
Summary:
- Adult STSHP pose significant risks to pediatric patients due to anatomical and design mismatches.
- Static STSHP demonstrate superior cost-benefit, comfort, and safety compared to dynamic versions for at-risk pediatric patients.
- Effective pressure ulcer prevention requires careful consideration of both patient-specific factors and STSHP characteristics.
Impact:
- Promotes the development and adoption of tailored pediatric pressure ulcer prevention strategies.
- Enhances patient safety and comfort in pediatric healthcare settings.
- Provides evidence-based guidance for selecting appropriate pressure-relieving devices for children.
Abstract:
Bed sores among pediatric patients constitutes an all too common adverse effect provoked by the application of new technologies adapted to a pediatrics context. Special Therapeutic Surfaces for Handling Pressure has proven to be an effective measure among adults. But the use of Special Therapeutic Surfaces for Handling Pressure for adults on children constitutes a grave error which can even be prejudicial for a pediatric patient. This is deemed an error due to the differences in anthropometrical measures between children and adults plus the specific design of Special Therapeutic Surfaces for Handling Pressure for adults. So that pediatric patients are benefited by this preventive measure, this measure must be adapted to pediatrics own specific circumstances. Along this line, the use of static Special Therapeutic Surfaces for Handling Pressure on patients at risk has proven to have a better cost-benefit ratio, a greater degree of comfort, and a greater degree of security than dynamic ones. To apply the most adequate Special Therapeutic Surfaces for Handling Pressure, we need to their specific characteristics as well as those of a pediatric patient. The best complement to Special Therapeutic Surfaces for Handling Pressure Special Therapeutic Surfaces for Handling Pressure are local devices which provide relief to pressure, preferably those which comply with the national norms for health products.
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