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Summary
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Method
The QUATTRO ACUTE™ was evaluated on a general adult Intensive Care Unit (ICU) over a period of six months. Data was collected on a total of 14 patients, with ages ranging from 31 to 88. The number of days that the individual patients were cared for on the mattress ranged from 1 to 19. The risk of developing a pressure ulcer was calculated using the Waterlow Pressure Sore Prevention/Treatment Policy (Waterlow, 1988) throughout each patient's stay in ICU. Highest scores for individual patients ranged from 13 to 37.
Results
Three patients presented with Grade 1 (AHCPR, 1992) pressure damage but this did not progress to further tissue breakdown. The non-blanching erythema was reversed within 48 hours of being cared for on the QUATTRO ACUTE™. Two patients did develop Grade 1 tissue damage to their heels whilst being cared for on the support surface. Both patients were receiving inotropic support which would suggest an increased risk to pressure ulcer development (Lowery, 1995; Waterlow, 1995). The tissue damage had, however, resolved in both patients within 48 hours. Patient comfort was not assessed as the majority of patients were ventilated and/or sedated and therefore assessment was inappropriate.
Discussion
Although there is a paucity in identifying the appropriateness of support surfaces, this evaluation has demonstrated that for critically ill patients, the QUATTRO ACUTE™ is able to provide a first line preventative strategy in pressure ulcer prevention. Alongside nursing care and observation, existing tissue damage resolved quickly and where tissue damage did develop, it only did so in patients at exceptional risk, again with rapid resolution.
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