Skin Blood Flow Response to 2-Hour Repositioning in Long-term Care Residents

Abstract

Two hours of staying in the supine position lowered sacral oxygenation to less than 40 mm Hg, in some subjects, regardless of whether there was adequate tcO₂ at preload. Repositioning to a lateral position after 2 hours of placement in a supine position did not cause the tcO₂ to return to preload level. The efficacy of a 2-hour repositioning schedule requires further investigation. Since heel tcO₂ was reduced after 30 minutes of loading, further work is needed to determine whether the heels should be offloaded with more frequent repositioning.

Impedance sensing device enables early detection of pressure ulcers in vivo

“…A pressure ulcer develops when pressure is applied to a localized area of the body over a period of time, such as when a patient lies in the same position during a lengthy surgery, stays in the ICU or has limited mobility. Injury typically occurs over a bony prominence, such as the sacrum, heels or the back of the skull [1][2][3][4] . The pressure causes a loss of blood flow to the tissue resulting in necrosis, and subsequent infection is a major concern.…”

“…The pressure causes a loss of blood flow to the tissue resulting in necrosis, and subsequent infection is a major concern. The combination of pressure, time and ischaemiareperfusion cycles that results in a pressure ulcer varies widely between patients [1][2][3][4] , making them difficult to predict. Damage can occur from an ischaemic event as short as 2 h [2][3][4] , and the initial stages of damage are not easily detectable with the naked eye.…”

“…The combination of pressure, time and ischaemiareperfusion cycles that results in a pressure ulcer varies widely between patients [1][2][3][4] , making them difficult to predict. Damage can occur from an ischaemic event as short as 2 h [2][3][4] , and the initial stages of damage are not easily detectable with the naked eye. By the time a surface wound is visible, the underlying tissue damage is often severe [2][3][4] .…”

“…Damage can occur from an ischaemic event as short as 2 h [2][3][4] , and the initial stages of damage are not easily detectable with the naked eye. By the time a surface wound is visible, the underlying tissue damage is often severe [2][3][4] .…”

“…Prevention of pressure ulcers currently relies on labourintensive vigilance in nursing care [3][4][5] . Patients are manually turned nearly every hour to relieve pressure, and high-risk areas are visually inspected for pressure ulcers 3 .…”