Large-Scale Hospital Mattress Switch-Out Leads to Reduction Hospital-Acquired Pressure Ulcers: Operationalization of a Multidisciplinary Task Force.

BACKGROUND: Identifying strategies to protect patients most at risk for hospital-acquired pressure ulcers (HAPU) is essential. HAPUs have significant impact on patients and their families and have profound cost and reimbursement implications. AIMS: This article describes the successful implementation of a hospital-wide mattress switch-out program using a Multidisciplinary Task Force, which resulted in a decrease in HAPUs and significant cost savings. RESULTS: As a result of this quality improvement project supported by evidence, the hospital realized a 66.6% decrease in Stage III and IV HAPUs, a 50% reduction in patient complaints about mattress comfort, a cost savings of $714,724, and an endorsement of bedside nurse clinical autonomy by nursing and executive leaders. LINKING EVIDENCE TO ACTION: Nursing leaders can effectively realize large-scale initiatives by developing and implementing wide-ranging operational projects, like this 2.5-day, 275-bed hospital mattresses switch-out.

Pressure RElieving Support SUrfaces: a Randomised Evaluation 2 (PRESSURE 2): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Pressure ulcers represent a major burden to patients, carers and the healthcare system, affecting approximately 1 in 17 hospital and 1 in 20 community patients. They impact greatly on an individual's functional status and health-related quality of life. The mainstay of pressure ulcer prevention practice is the provision of pressure redistribution support surfaces and patient repositioning. The aim of the PRESSURE 2 study is to compare the two main mattress types utilised within the NHS: high-specification foam and alternating pressure mattresses, in the prevention of pressure ulcers. METHODS/DESIGN: PRESSURE 2 is a multicentre, open-label, randomised, double triangular, group sequential, parallel group trial. A maximum of 2954 'high-risk' patients with evidence of acute illness will be randomised on a 1:1 basis to receive either a high-specification foam mattress or alternating-pressure mattress in conjunction with an electric profiling bed frame. The primary objective of the trial is to compare mattresses in terms of the time to developing a new Category 2 or above pressure ulcer by 30 days post end of treatment phase. Secondary endpoints include time to developing new Category 1 and 3 or above pressure ulcers, time to healing of pre-existing Category 2 pressure ulcers, health-related quality of life, cost-effectiveness, incidence of mattress change and safety. Validation objectives are to determine the responsiveness of the Pressure Ulcer Quality of Life-Prevention instrument and the feasibility of having a blinded endpoint assessment using photography. The trial will have a maximum of three planned analyses with unequally spaced reviews at event-driven coherent cut-points. The futility boundaries are constructed as non-binding to allow a decision for stopping early to be overruled by the Data Monitoring and Ethics Committee. DISCUSSION: The double triangular, group sequential design of the PRESSURE 2 trial will provide an efficient design through the possibility of early stopping for demonstrating either superiority, inferiority of mattresses or futility of the trial. The trial optimises the potential for producing robust clinical evidence on the effectiveness of two commonly used mattresses in clinical practice earlier than in a conventional design. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN01151335 . Registered on 14 May 2013. Protocol version: 5.0, dated 25 September 2015 Trial sponsor: Clare Skinner, Faculty Head of Research Support, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT; 0113 343 4897; C.E.Skinner@leeds.ac.uk.

Comparison of tissue-interface pressure in healthy subjects lying on two trauma splinting devices: The vacuum mattress splint and long spine board.

BACKGROUND: Most emergency transport protocols in the United States currently call for the use of a spine board (SB) to help immobilize the trauma patient. However, there are concerns that their use is associated with a risk of pressure ulcer development. An alternative device, the vacuum mattress splint (VMS) has been shown by previous investigations to be a viable alternative to the SB, but no single study has explicated the tissue-interface pressure in depth. METHODS: To determine if the VMS will exert less pressure on areas of the body susceptible to pressure ulcers than a SB we enrolled healthy subjects to lie on the devices in random order while pressure measurements were recorded. Sensors were placed underneath the occiput, scapulae, sacrum, and heels of each subject lying on each device. Three parameters were used to analyze differences between the two devices: 1) mean pressure of all active cells, 2) number of cells exceeding 9.3kPa, and 3) maximal pressure (Pmax). RESULTS: In all regions, there was significant reduction in the mean pressure of all active cells in the VMS. In the number of cells exceeding 9.3kPa, we saw a significant reduction in the sacrum and scapulae in the VMS, no difference in the occiput, and significantly more cells above this value in the heels of subjects on the VMS. Pmax was significantly reduced in all regions, and was less than half when examining the sacrum (104.3 vs. 41.8kPa, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: This study does not exclude the possibility of pressure ulcer development in the VMS although there was a significant reduction in pressure in the parameters we measured in most areas. These results indicate that the VMS may reduce the incidence and severity of pressure ulcer development compared to the SB. Further prospective trials are needed to determine if these results will translate into better clinical outcomes.

REFINE (REducing Falls in In-patieNt Elderly) using bed and bedside chair pressure sensors linked to radio-pagers in acute hospital care: a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: falls in hospitals are a major problem and contribute to substantial healthcare burden. Advances in sensor technology afford innovative approaches to reducing falls in acute hospital care. However, whether these are clinically effective and cost effective in the UK setting has not been evaluated. METHODS: pragmatic, parallel-arm, individual randomised controlled trial of bed and bedside chair pressure sensors using radio-pagers (intervention group) compared with standard care (control group) in elderly patients admitted to acute, general medical wards, in a large UK teaching hospital. Primary outcome measure number of in-patient bedside falls per 1,000 bed days. RESULTS: 1,839 participants were randomised (918 to the intervention group and 921 to the control group). There were 85 bedside falls (65 fallers) in the intervention group, falls rate 8.71 per 1,000 bed days compared with 83 bedside falls (64 fallers) in the control group, falls rate 9.84 per 1,000 bed days (adjusted incidence rate ratio, 0.90; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.66-1.22; P = 0.51). There was no significant difference between the two groups with respect to time to first bedside fall (adjusted hazard ratio (HR), 0.95; 95% CI: 0.67-1.34; P= 0.12). The mean cost per patient in the intervention group was £7199 compared with £6400 in the control group, mean difference in QALYs per patient, 0.0001 (95% CI: -0.0006-0.0004, P= 0.67). CONCLUSIONS: bed and bedside chair pressure sensors as a single intervention strategy do not reduce in-patient bedside falls, time to first bedside fall and are not cost-effective in elderly patients in acute, general medical wards in the UK. TRIAL REGISTRATION: isrctn.org identifier: ISRCTN44972300.

Pressure redistribution devices: what works, at what cost and what's next?

This article discusses the development and usage of pressure redistribution devices (PRDs) and their impact on the prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers within the NHS. The article outlines the history of the development of these devices and discusses the reasons for a lack of substantial evidence in support of the use of these devices, their impact on the NHS on cost and perceived outcome. The article describes the typical usage profile in a 500 bed NHS hospital and concludes with a view as to how that may change in the future.

The universal bed model for patient care improves outcome and lowers cost in cardiac surgery.

OBJECTIVE: With the escalating demands to increase the efficiency and decrease the cost, innovations in postoperative cardiac surgical patient care are needed. The universal bed model is an innovative care delivery system that allows patient care to be managed in one setting from postoperation to discharge. We hypothesized that the universal bed model in the context of cardiac surgery would improve outcomes and efficacy. METHODS: A total of 610 consecutive patients were admitted to the universal bed unit and prospectively entered into the Society of Thoracic Surgeons National Cardiac Database. Intensive care unit level of care was determined by acuity and staffing needs. Telemetry was employed from admission to discharge, and multidisciplinary rounds were conducted twice daily. Postoperative outcomes were recorded during hospital stay, and comparisons were made with the Society of Thoracic Surgeons National Cardiac Database using identical variables over the same period of time. RESULTS: Decreased ventilation time, intensive care unit and hospital stay, and reduction in the incidence of atrial fibrillation and infectious complications yielded a financial benefit in the universal bed group compared with the traditional model of admission. Stroke rate and in-hospital mortality were the same compared with regional and national centers. Compared with regional centers, there was an average cost savings between $6200 and $9500 per patient depending on the operation. Patient care satisfaction by independent survey was in the 99th percentile. CONCLUSIONS: The universal bed patient care model allows for expedient and efficacious care as measured by decreased length of intensive care unit and hospital stay, improved postoperative outcomes, patient satisfaction, and cost savings.

Preventing pressure ulcers in long-term care: a cost-effectiveness analysis.

BACKGROUND: Pressure ulcers are common in many care settings, with adverse health outcomes and high treatment costs. We evaluated the cost-effectiveness of evidence-based strategies to improve current prevention practice in long-term care facilities. METHODS: We used a validated Markov model to compare current prevention practice with the following 4 quality improvement strategies: (1) pressure redistribution mattresses for all residents, (2) oral nutritional supplements for high-risk residents with recent weight loss, (3) skin emollients for high-risk residents with dry skin, and (4) foam cleansing for high-risk residents requiring incontinence care. Primary outcomes included lifetime risk of stage 2 to 4 pressure ulcers, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), and lifetime costs, calculated according to a single health care payer's perspective and expressed in 2009 Canadian dollars (Can$1 = US$0.84). RESULTS: Strategies cost on average $11.66 per resident per week. They reduced lifetime risk; the associated number needed to treat was 45 (strategy 1), 63 (strategy 4), 158 (strategy 3), and 333 (strategy 2). Strategy 1 and 4 minimally improved QALYs and reduced the mean lifetime cost by $115 and $179 per resident, respectively. The cost per QALY gained was approximately $78 000 for strategy 3 and $7.8 million for strategy 2. If decision makers are willing to pay up to $50 000 for 1 QALY gained, the probability that improving prevention is cost-effective is 94% (strategy 4), 82% (strategy 1), 43% (strategy 3), and 1% (strategy 2). CONCLUSIONS: The clinical and economic evidence supports pressure redistribution mattresses for all long-term care residents. Improving prevention with perineal foam cleansers and dry skin emollients appears to be cost-effective, but firm conclusions are limited by the available clinical evidence.

Pressure ulcer prevention in high-risk postoperative cardiovascular patients.

BACKGROUND: Little has been published about how to prevent pressure ulcers in severely debilitated, immobile patients in intensive care units. OBJECTIVE: To present a possible prevention strategy for postoperative cardiovascular surgery patients at high risk for development of pressure ulcers. METHODS: Staff chose to implement air fluidized therapy beds, which provide maximal immersion and envelopment as a measure for preventing pressure ulcers in patients who (1) required vasopressors for at least 24 hours and (2) required mechanical ventilation for at least 24 hours postoperatively. RESULTS: Only 1 of 27 patients had a pressure ulcer develop while on the air fluidized therapy bed (February 2008 through August 2008), and that ulcer was only a stage I ulcer, compared with 40 ulcers in 25 patients before the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Patients spent a mean of 7.9 days on the mattress, and the cost of bed rental was approximately $18000, which was similar to the cost of treatment of 1 pressure ulcer in stage III or IV (about $40000) and was considered cost-effective.

Early prevention of pressure ulcers among elderly patients admitted through emergency departments: a cost-effectiveness analysis.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Every year, approximately 6.2 million hospital admissions through emergency departments (ED) involve elderly patients who are at risk of developing pressure ulcers. We evaluated the cost-effectiveness of pressure-redistribution foam mattresses on ED stretchers and beds for early prevention of pressure ulcers in elderly admitted ED patients. METHODS: Using a Markov model, we evaluated the incremental effectiveness (quality-adjusted life-days) and incremental cost (hospital and home care costs) between early prevention and current practice (with standard hospital mattresses) from a health care payer perspective during a 1-year time horizon. RESULTS: The projected incidence of ED-acquired pressure ulcers was 1.90% with current practice and 1.48% with early prevention, corresponding to a number needed to treat of 238 patients. The average upgrading cost from standard to pressure-redistribution mattresses was $0.30 per patient. Compared with current practice, early prevention was more effective, with 0.0015 quality-adjusted life-days gained, and less costly, with a mean cost saving of $32 per patient. If decisionmakers are willing to pay $50,000 per quality-adjusted life-year gained, early prevention was cost-effective even for short ED stay (ie, 1 hour), low hospital-acquired pressure ulcer risk (1% prevalence), and high unit price of pressure-redistribution mattresses ($3,775). Taking input uncertainty into account, early prevention was 81% likely to be cost-effective. Expected value-of-information estimates supported additional randomized controlled trials of pressure-redistribution mattresses to eliminate the remaining decision uncertainty. CONCLUSION: The economic evidence supports early prevention with pressure-redistribution foam mattresses in the ED. Early prevention is likely to improve health for elderly patients and save hospital costs.

Rapid testing for respiratory syncytial virus in a paediatric emergency department: benefits for infection control and bed management.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is responsible for annual winter outbreaks of respiratory tract infection among children in temperate climates, placing severe pressure on hospital beds. Cohorting of affected infants has been demonstrated to be an effective strategy in reducing nosocomial transmission of RSV, and may keep cubicles free for other patients who require them. Testing of symptomatic children for RSV is standard practice, but unfortunately traditional laboratory testing is not rapid enough to aid decision-making processes. Rapid point-of-care testing (POCT) in the emergency department has been suggested as an alternative. We performed a prospective study to quantify the amount of cubicle time saved by using POCT results to allow a targeted cohorting strategy. Over the four-month study period, the POCT allowed 183 children to be admitted directly to a designated cohort area, thus saving 568.5 cubicle-days for other patients. This is equivalent to five cubicles being left free for each day of the study period. This is the first time the benefits of using POCT have been quantified in this way. POCT for RSV is a safe, cost-effective and efficient way to improve bed management.

Achieving effective outcomes: monitoring the effectiveness of the Softform Premier Active (TM) mattress.

The identification of pressure-relieving mattresses to achieve positive clinical outcomes for patients and financial considerations for organizations is a challenge for health-care staff. This article reports on an audit undertaken within a primary care trust to determine the clinical and cost effectiveness of the Softform® Premier Active mattress. Preliminary results have been previously published (Stephen-Haynes, 2009) and are presented here in full.

The economics of pressure relieving surfaces: an illustrative case study of the impact of high-specification surfaces on hospital finances.

Pressure ulcers are associated with a significant economic burden that, in many cases, is recognised as being avoidable. The effectiveness of pressure relieving surfaces is well documented and acknowledged in clinical guidelines on the prevention and management of pressure ulcers. Whilst pressure relieving surfaces are more expensive than traditional hospital mattresses, judicious use, targeted to patients most at risk, can help to reduce the incidence and costs of pressure ulcers in hospital settings. This review paper includes a summary of pivotal clinical evidence on pressure relieving surfaces as well as a suggested approach for modelling their financial impact on hospital budgets. Simple financial modelling suggests that pressure relieving surfaces could lead to financial savings for a hospital when used appropriately.

Should care homes adopt a static-led approach to pressure ulcer prevention?

A static-led approach refers to the provision of high-specification foam mattresses for the whole of a population at risk of pressure damage. Such mattresses have been found to reduce the risk of pressure ulceration and cost less overall than standard mattresses, even in populations where only 1 in 100 patients develops a pressure ulcer. Reduced pressure ulcer prevalence and reduced costs resulting from decreased expenditure on dynamic mattresses following the implementation of a static-led approach have been reported. Pressure ulcers cause pain, a reduced quality of life, loss of independence, depression and social isolation for those in whom they develop. Organizations are increasingly having to pay out large sums of money following litigation surrounding pressure ulcers. This article explains why NHS healthcare providers and private care organizations need to work together to consider implementing a static-led approach to pressure ulcer prevention within care homes in order to reduce pressure ulcer incidence cost-effectively within their local populations.

Interface pressure comparison of healthy premature infants with various neonatal bed surfaces.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine interface pressure between the occiput of healthy premature infants and 5 different bed surfaces used in special care nurseries. SUBJECTS: Thirteen healthy premature infants comprised the convenience sample enrolled 1 to 3 weeks prior to discharge. DESIGN: A quasi-experimental design was used with the dependent variable being the interface pressures obtained under the occiput and the independent variables as the bed surfaces. METHODS: Order of bed surfaces was randomized and standardization of the infant positioning and measuring procedure maintained. Measurements were made between the infant's occiput and the bed surface and interface pressures recorded in millimeters of mercury. The 5 bed surfaces were standard crib mattress with or without foam, gel donut, gel mattress, and water pillow. MEASURES: Interface pressure measurements were obtained using the Mini-Texas Interface Pressure Evaluator (Mini-TIPE, Tee-Kay Applied Technology, Inc, Stafford, Texas). RESULTS: A 1-way blocked analysis of variance was conducted to evaluate the relationship between the mattress surfaces and the interface pressure measurements. A significant difference in the mean of the interface pressures among the 5 mattress bed surfaces was determined, F(4,46) = 33.267, P < .001, with the lowest being the foam overlay. The standard crib mattress had the highest interface pressure that exceeded 100 mm Hg. Post hoc comparisons showed a significant difference between the standard crib mattress with and without foam and the other surfaces. CONCLUSIONS: Interface pressure is an important consideration when choosing a support surface for premature infants susceptible to tissue compromise and head molding. Variations in interface pressures between neonatal bed surfaces are apparent. Comparison studies of interface pressures using these and other neonatal bed surfaces will be valuable in determining appropriate products for both premature and neonatal populations with lengthy intensive care stays.

Alternating pressure air mattresses as prevention for pressure ulcers: a literature review.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this paper is to examine and synthesise the literature on alternating pressure air mattresses (APAMs) as a preventive measure for pressure ulcers. DESIGN: Literature review. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Cinahl, Central, Embase, and Medline databases were searched to identify original and relevant articles. Additional publications were retrieved from the references cited in the publications identified during the electronic database search. RESULTS: Thirty-five studies were included. Effectiveness and comfort of APAMs were the main focuses of the studies evaluating APAMs. Pressure ulcer incidence, contact interface pressure, and blood perfusion were the most frequently used outcome measures to evaluate the effectiveness of APAMs. Fifteen randomised controlled trials (RCTs) analysed the pressure ulcer incidence. One RCT compared a standard hospital mattress with an APAM and found that the APAM was a more effective preventive measure. RCTs comparing APAMs with constant-low-air mattresses resulted in conflicting evidence. There was also no clear evidence as to which type of APAM performed better. All RCTs had methodological flaws. The use of contact interface pressure and blood perfusion measurements to evaluate the effectiveness of APAMs is questionable. Comfort of APAMs was the primary outcome measure in only four studies. Different methods for assessment were used and different types of APAMs were evaluated. Better measures for comfort are needed. A few studies discussed technical problems associated with APAMs. Educating nurses in the correct use of APAMs is advisable. CONCLUSION: Taking into account the methodological issues, we can conclude that APAMs are likely to be more effective than standard hospital mattresses. Contact interface pressure and blood perfusion give only a hypothetical conclusion about APAMs' effectiveness. Additional large, high-quality RCTs are needed. No conclusions can be drawn regarding the comfort of APAMs. A number of technical problems associated with APAMs are related to nurses' improper use of the devices.