Pressure Care for Hospitals

Pressure ulcers develop as a response to external forces causing a restriction to blood supply. The skin, particularly fragile skin, becomes at risk if there is an external force of pressure, or pressure combined with shearing that puts stress on internal tissues. Elderly patients and patients with limited mobility are at risk of forming pressure ulcers without professional pressure care management.

Tissue viability nurses and manual handling professionals are responsible for managing pressure care in a hospital environment and a combination of clinical knowledge and nursing care will enable patients to be protected. However, specialist pressure care equipment such as dynamic mattresses, positioning cushions and patient turners will give professionals additional tools to provide excellent care 24 hours a day.

Having trialed two other similar products, the Ekamove was the best. We trialed the Ekamove with a patient who was unable to tolerate lying on his right side, due to a category 4 pressure ulcer, however he could tolerate the Ekamove and his pressure sore improved despite his deteriorating health. Often the patient did not realise they were on the Ekamove. Also, once learnt it was very easy to use’

Joanne Dunford, Staff nurse at St Leonard Hospice