Invacare Softform Heelpad success at The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

BRIDGEND, Wales - Sept. 18, 2013 - PRLog -- Pressure ulcers on the heel were a growing concern for Jody Thompson, Tissue Viability Nurse at The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. A closer look revealed that theatre and recovery were the areas where patients were most vulnerable to pressure damage to the heel. Jody went on to say “Ideally heels should be off-loaded, but with some Orthopaedic surgery, if the knee is flexed in this process, this may result in flexion deformity to the knee.”

A preventative strategy needed to be put in place, so in March 2012, Invacare’s Softform Heelpads were purchased and put onto the wards to help reduce pressure to the heels of patients. Patients in theatre and recovery each had Softform Heelpads which subsequently followed the patients to the ward. Once the patient is mobile, the heelpad is no longer required. Jody stated “A patient receiving a femoral block or epidural, in conjunction with orthopaedic surgery, is where this is most beneficial.”

One of Jody’s main tasks when implementing the Softform Heelpads was to educate the hospital staff on how the product wasn’t a treatment for pressure damage but a preventative strategy to be used in conjunction with risk assessment, regular skin inspection and repositioning.

Jody is pleased to confirm the Softform Heelpads have been a great success and the feedback from the patients has been positive. Jody went on to say “Initiating this strategy is helping the trust to achieve targets.”

For more information on the Softform Heelpad or for a demonstration, please contact your local Invacare Business Development Manager or call Customer Services on 01656 776222. Alternatively, please visit http://www.thinkpressurecare.co.uk