Preventive Effect of a Microclimate-Regulating System on Pressure Ulcer Development: A Prospective, Randomized...

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Nursing Science
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Pressure ulcers (PrUs) prevention strategies focus on pressure relief, shear stress reduction, and microclimate control.
• A novel multilayer support system was developed to enhance PrU prevention by integrating these principles.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of a multilayer skin interface support system in preventing pressure ulcers.
• To compare the PrU preventive effect of the multilayer system combined with a viscoelastic foam mattress against a viscoelastic foam mattress alone.

Main Methods:

• A multicenter, prospective, randomized controlled trial was conducted in 21 Dutch nursing homes.
• 206 residents with a Braden score < 16 were randomized to receive either a viscoelastic foam mattress with a cotton sheet (control) or the same mattress with the multilayer system (intervention).
• Outcomes were assessed over a 12-week period, focusing on the development of category 2, 3, or 4 pressure ulcers.

Main Results:

• The incidence of PrUs was 5% in the control group and 9% in the intervention group.
• Demographic characteristics of participants were comparable between the two groups.
• The observed difference in PrU development between the groups was not statistically significant.

Conclusions:

• The integrated multilayer support system, when used with a viscoelastic foam mattress, did not demonstrate added value in preventing pressure ulcers compared to a standard viscoelastic foam mattress and cotton sheet.
• Further research may be needed to explore alternative or optimized multilayer systems for pressure ulcer prevention.