Using water-filled gloves for pressure relief on heels

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Nursing Practice
• Materials Science

Background:

• Pressure injuries, particularly on the heels, are a significant concern in healthcare settings.
• The use of water-filled latex gloves as a pressure-relieving technique has been observed in clinical practice.
• Understanding the interface pressure generated by such methods is crucial for effective prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the interface pressure exerted by water-filled latex gloves compared to standard mattresses.
• To assess the prevalence and perceived effectiveness of using water-filled gloves for heel pressure relief.
• To determine the efficacy of water-filled gloves in preventing pressure damage.

Main Methods:

• A convenience sample of 40 patients (aged 19-92) was recruited.
• Interface pressures were measured using a Talley pressure evaluator on both mattress and water-filled glove surfaces.
• A questionnaire survey was administered to healthcare professionals in wards and nursing homes regarding the practice.

Main Results:

• Mean interface pressure on the mattress was 126.5 mmHg (range 104-143 mmHg).
• Mean interface pressure on a water-filled glove (260ml water) was 144.6 mmHg (range 123-159 mmHg).
• A significant majority (79.4%) of respondents had encountered or used the water-filled glove technique.

Conclusions:

• Water-filled latex gloves generate higher interface pressures than standard mattresses.
• The practice, while popular, is ineffective and potentially detrimental in preventing heel pressure damage.
• Alternative, evidence-based pressure injury prevention strategies should be prioritized.