£40,000 to ease pressure on patients

Ann Vickers, equipment coordinator, and staff nurse Alva White with the new cushions on ward B1 at North Manchester General Hospital

Patients will be able to sit more comfortably, lowering the risk of developing bed sores in hospital, thanks to new static foam cushions.

The Pennine Acute Trust has spent £40,000 on over 650 cushions that have been distributed to all wards within the Trust’s hospitals, including the Rochdale Infirmary, by the tissue viability team.

The Karomed Transflo cushions were chosen by the Trust following an evaluation process by the tissue viability nurses, equipment co-ordinators, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and the supplies department. They allow a longer sitting time period for patients who are at risk of developing pressure ulcers.

Judy Harker, nurse consultant in tissue viability, said: “We have purchased two types of cushions of differing thickness; the leisure cushion which is thinner, supports shorter patients and those of a weight of up to 21 stones; whilst the standard cushion which is thicker/deeper, supports patients up to 28 stones.

“Acutely ill patients who are established to be at risk of pressure ulcers should sit for no longer than two hours at a time, and then be returned to bed or encouraged to walk, and not returned to sitting within an hour.

“We hope that by purchasing these cushions, increased attention will be paid to posture and correct seating. It is hoped that we can achieve enhanced awareness by all healthcare workers of the risk of pressure ulcer development in the seated patient.

”Reducing pressure ulcers in our hospitals is an important area which we have been focusing on with our doctors and nurses, particularly over the last 18 months. It is a clear commitment of the Trust. We have made significant progress in the last year, particularly with our record keeping and risk assessments in relation to pressure ulcers. Through greater awareness and improved training, our staff are better at picking up, reporting and managing pressure ulcers among our patients.”