Comparison of Static Air Support Devices (Repose®) and Alternating-Pressure Devices in the Prevention of Pressure Ulcers

University Ghent

Status: Completed

Conditions: Pressure Ulcer; Pressure Injury; Pressure Sore; Bed Sore

Treatments: Device: Repose®

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03597750

B670201731706 (Other Identifier)

EC/2017/0266

Details and patient eligibility

About

Maintaining and improving skin health are major goals in acute and long-term care. Patients at the extremes of age, the critically ill, medically compromised and those with immobility are at risk for developing several skin disorders, with pressure ulcers (PUs) as one of the most common and mostly preventable ones. Prevalence figures of PUs vary between 6.4% and 31.4%. PUs are described as localised injuries to the skin and/or underlying tissue, usually over a bony prominence, as a result of pressure or pressure combined with shear. Prevention of PUs is internationally seen to be a key quality indicator of care. To prevent PUs, reducing both the amount and the duration of pressure and shear at the pressure points of the body is strongly recommended. One of the interventions to achieving this, is the use of pressure-reducing devices (mattresses, cushions, etc.). Studies that compare the (cost-) effectiveness of different pressure-reducing devices are needed.

The primary aim of this study is to compare the (cost-) effectiveness of pressure ulcer prevention in high risk patients using static air support devices (Repose®) versus alternating-pressure devices. The second aim is to get insight in patients' experiences and perceptions of comfort using static air support devices and alternating-pressure devices. The third aim is to get insight in caretakers' perceptions of barriers and facilitators of the use of static air support devices and alternating-pressure devices and to reveal how these perceptions influence the readiness to use the products in clinical practice.

This randomized controlled trial will be performed in ca. 25 nursing homes in a random sample of 306 residents who are at high risk of developing pressure ulcers. Residents will be included in the study for a period of 14 days. Skin assessment and risk factor registration will be done on a daily basis by the nurses. Reliability checks and time measurements will be completed by the researcher.

Enrollment: 308 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 65+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• High risk of pressure ulcers (Braden score < 12) and/or pressure ulcer category 1
• Currently using alternating-pressure devices
• Bedbound (> 8 hours in bed) or chair bound (> 8 hours in chair)
• Aged > 65 years

Exclusion criteria

• Pressure ulcer category 2,3,4, deep tissue injury (DTI) or unstageable pressure ulcer
• Expected length of stay < 2 weeks
• End of life care
• Medical contraindication for use of static air support devices

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

---

308 participants in 2 patient groups

Static air support devices (Repose®)

Experimental group

Description:

Alternating-pressure devices will be replaced by static air support devices (Repose®) during 14 days: Repose® Mattress Repose® Cushion Repose® Wedge or Foot Protectors The frequency of repositioning remains unchanged.

Treatment:

Device: Repose®

Alternating-pressure devices

No Intervention group

Description:

Instead of replacing the alternating-pressure devices by static air support devices (Repose®), the residents remain on their alternating-pressure devices. The frequency of repositioning remains unchanged.