Evaluating pressure redistribution surfaces for the occiput

Area of Science:

• Critical Care Medicine
• Burn Management
• Patient Safety

Background:

• Patients in Burn Intensive Care Units face a high risk of pressure ulcers (PUs), particularly on the head.
• Offloading pressure from the head is challenging, especially in patients with facial or head burns.
• An increase in occipital PUs necessitated a review of current head offloading practices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate methods for preventing occipital pressure ulcers in a Burn Intensive Care Unit.
• To assess the effectiveness of a fluidised gel positioner in reducing occipital pressure.

Main Methods:

• A multidisciplinary team utilized a pressure mapping device (SensorEdge Measure X) to evaluate head offloading devices.
• Pressure distribution on the occiput was visualized in real-time and quantified.
• Data was exported for analysis to determine pressure reduction efficacy.

Main Results:

• Pressure mapping confirmed occipital pressure when using a fluidised gel positioner.
• Exclusive use of the fluidised gel positioner led to a significant decrease in occipital PUs.
• Occipital PUs were reduced from nine cases to zero following consistent implementation of the device.

Conclusions:

• Fluidised gel positioners are a viable option for reducing hospital-acquired occipital PUs.
• This intervention should be considered in other critical care settings to enhance patient safety.
• Implementing effective head offloading strategies is crucial for preventing pressure injuries in vulnerable patients.