Tissue Viability

#stopthepressure

Tissue Viability is a speciality that covers all aspects of skin and soft tissue wounds, including surgical wounds, pressure ulcers and leg ulcerations. It started in the 1980s, and Tissue Viability Teams are working hard across the UK to help reduce the number of pressure ulcers in all environments.

A pressure ulcer is an area of damaged skin and the tissue below it. They are usually caused by too much pressure on the skin after not moving for long periods of time. Body weight pressed against a hard service can damage the blood supply to the skin. Dragging or sliding your skin across a service is known as shearing, and deeper layers of skin can be damaged.

If a patient has to be in bed for long periods of time, it is very important that they are rotated every two hours or so, between lying on their back and on their side.

In order to minimize the effects and causes of pressure sores, there are four steps that should be carried out by a health care team and the patient:

1. Regular inspection of the skin – the carer must help with this, as there are some areas the patient won’t be able to see for themselves.
2. Regular re-positioning – if this is out if bed, marching on the spot will help, along with short walks around the room.
3. Use of specialist equipment
4. Referral to relevant health care professionals

Centrobed provide a range of equipment that can help carers and Tissue Viability Nurses successfully treat and look after patients suffering with ulcers. Once they are ready to leave hospital or at GP level, the patient will be assessed as to whether or not they are at risks from bed sores. If they are believed to be at risk, our beds will be prescribed without hesitation. They will form part of the discharge package, and will be available for when the patient gets home.

Arctic Turning Bed

DIY SOS Arctic Turning Bed

The Arctic turning bed is a multi-positional and multi- functional versatile bed system that can accommodate even the most of complex needs. As a patients’ needs become more complex the versatility of the bed can be used. The patient has the added benefit of independent leg movement and the ability to turn left or right without intervention, reducing the risk of pressure ulcers and paraetheisa. Height adjustable, the bed reduces unnecessary strain on carers backs.

 

Centrobed have taken turning beds to the next level, various widths, lengths and specifications. As a company we are unique in the service we offer, which is bespoke. There are a variety of systems being used for pressure sore and the improvements that we can offer are as follows:

  • Hands free automated turning.
  • Programmable night turning tailored for each individual’s needs.
  • Enables re-positioning without intervention.
  • Reduces bed blocking – a comprehensive care package can be offered in conjunction with this bed.
  • Comfort and pressure relief for the client and a better quality of sleep as the sleep pattern is not disturbed. Programmed to turn at a frequency/pattern to suit, reducing the cost of night time care.

“Firstly the cool design and look of the bed is so pleasing. After having a plain-looking, profiling hospital bed, it is such a relief having a ‘normal’ looking bed, with a cool design.

Also, the fact we can change the design as he gets older is such a bonus.

As for the comfort and practicality, it has been a god send. Christopher is so much more comfortable now at night. He has always struggled to get himself comfortable ever since being a toddler, which since he has become diagnosed with Duchenne, has become clear why.

With so many variations of positions, he or we can adjust the bed to suit his needs, to make him as relaxed as possible. As he does suffer with a bad chest frequently, we tend to have the head end raised slightly, which helps his breathing and reduces the coughing through the night. We also keep the side guard up at an angle which gives him security, but also allows him to get on and off the bed on his own. Also, we often raise the edges of the bed which helps him keep his hips and legs in line and supports his thighs.”

Clare