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Pressure-reducing effects of heel protectors
Advances in Wound Care : the Journal for Prevention and Healing
|July 1, 1994
Summary
An ordinary head pillow proved most effective at reducing pressure for elderly patients, outperforming specialized heel protectors. This finding offers new insights into pressure ulcer prevention strategies for geriatric care.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Biomedical Engineering
- Wound Care
Background:
- Elderly patients are at high risk for pressure ulcers, particularly on the heels.
- Effective pressure reduction is crucial for preventing heel pressure injuries in geriatric populations.
- Various heel-protecting devices exist, but their comparative efficacy is not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate and compare the pressure-reducing capabilities of 13 different heel-protecting devices.
- To identify the most effective devices for pressure relief in elderly individuals.
- To inform clinical practice regarding the selection of pressure-reducing interventions for heel protection.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 40 elderly patients (mean age 82 years) admitted to a university hospital's Geriatric Department.
- Utilized a sensitive computerized diagnostic system to measure vertical forces and quantify pressure.
- Tested 13 distinct heel-protecting devices under controlled conditions.
Main Results:
- An ordinary head pillow demonstrated the highest effectiveness in reducing pressure.
- Heel protectors utilizing siliconized hollow fibers were the second most effective devices.
- Significant variations in pressure reduction were observed among the tested devices.
Conclusions:
- Simple, readily available items like head pillows can be highly effective for pressure reduction.
- Siliconized hollow fiber heel protectors offer a viable alternative for pressure relief.
- Clinical guidelines may benefit from incorporating these findings for optimal heel pressure injury prevention in the elderly.