Bed sores: Ultrasonic research techniques show round-the-clock prevention can be achieved

Pressure sores are a grim reality that can occur when adults become immobile. They can develop quickly, cause immense pain to the individual and be difficult to treat, presenting quite a challenge to even the most efficient of care teams.

Standard practice is to ensure regular position changes, but even this is not always a full-proof solution. Conditions like type 2 diabetes can make individuals more prone to bed sores, but more effective prevention is now available thanks to pioneering research made possible by pressure care experts , which has resulted in the development of a new polyester fibre pad; ‘Treat-Eezi’.

Types of sore

Bed sores, or pressure sores, occur when pressure is applied to an area of skin over a period of time, which can be both a large amount of pressure over a short period or lesser amount over a longer period. The disruption to blood flow starves the skin of vital oxygen and nutrients, leading to discoloured patches and potentially to open wounds, leaving bone and muscle exposed.

Dr Steve Young, formerly of Guys NHS Trust, who carried out the clinical trials on the ‘Treat-Eezi’ independently, writes ‘Preventing pressure damage is difficult, due to the large number of potential aetiological factors involved, although it is recognised that the largest single causative factor is unrelieved pressure. Concomitant to this are other predisposing factors which may be intrinsic or extrinsic. These include, intrinsically malnutrition, incontinence, altered level of consciousness and altered level of sensation, and extrinsically, friction and shear forces. Many of these factors are often involved simultaneously.’

The challenge has been to create a pad that offers pressure relief by aiding capillary blood flow and reducing friction, which ultrasound analysis of ‘Treat-Eezi’ shows to have been greatly effective. Subjects who have worn the pad are yet to show any evidence of pressure damage over 24 hours, while the Pad has also been clinically proven to heal stage 2 pressure ulcers (stage 2 refers to when the sore becomes an open wound).

Executive summary

A four-week evaluation, carried out on six subjects (average age 86 years) within a residential care environment, was undertaken to examine the pad’s effectiveness in preventing pressure damage, as well as its contribution to personal comfort.

All of the subjects were judged to be in a ‘high risk’ category for pressure sores, but all found the Treat-Eezi pad to be comfortable, while care home staff found it easy to use and transfer from bed to chair.

The analysis reads, ‘Staff commented that the bed pad could also be used as a very effective slide sheet when trying to move subjects across the bed. Comments were made that the bed pad was cooler than the previous mattress overlay they were on and more comfortable generally and so they were getting an improved sleep.

‘Five of the Subjects had no signs of existing pressure damage prior to the use of the Bed Pad on their scapulae, spine, sacrum, buttocks or hips. Use of the Treat-Eezi bed pad appeared to result in the continued good health of these areas. One subject had a grade 2 pressure ulcer in the left sacral area and this healed over the study period.’

In conclusion, the summary found: ‘The results of these case studies were positive. All of the Subjects had exhibited no evidence of pressure damage during the initial assessment on Day 0 apart from one having a grade 2 pressure ulcer in the left sacral region. All of the Subjects’ skin maintained this healthy profile throughout the study and the subject with the pressure ulcer healed. Comments about comfort were very positive. Staff also made very good constructive comments about further improvements which could make this an even better product.’

Product users

Responses to the availability of Treat-Eezi have also proven positive. Client F Baird, for example, feeds back, “I’m so happy to tell you the Treat-Eezi pad I purchased almost 2 weeks ago has almost cleared my pressure sore up completely! Not only that, it’s the most comfortable thing I have ever sat/laid on, it fits me perfectly. I’m so pleased I wish to order a second as a back up for when the first is being washed.”

While J Lomas responds, “The (Treat-Eezi) pad arrived midmorning yesterday and we immediately laundered it as advised. This morning the bed sore is definitely a bit improved, so fingers crossed.”

Dan Medica South director, Lynne Timm, adds, “Treat-Eezi is a breakthrough in treating bed sores and is probably the only type available to go from bed to chair offering 24-hour protection without the need for electric motors or adjustment of any kind.”

While director Derek Timm points out that, “The patients who were tested for the month all stated the Treat Eezi comfort levels were much higher than their previous mattress products and gave Treat Eezi an 8 rather than a 5 from the original products they were using. This, along with Treat Eezi keeping the body much cooler thus avoiding sweating and moisture build up, plays an incredible part in the healing process.”

Learn more about Treat-Eezi here: www.danmedicasouth.co.uk/treat-eezi/treat-eezi-bed-pad/