Pressure Injury Prevention
Together, we can reduce the impact.
Pressure Injury Prevention
Together, we can reduce the impact.
Pressure injuries are on the rise, affecting 1 in 5 patients every year.1 The good news is, you and your team can change the numbers with the right support and evidence-based solutions.
Get expert guidance.
Use this PI prevention checklist.
Your guide to preventing pressure injuries, as recommended by the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel.
Pressure injury staging as easy as P.I.E.
This educational poster helps nurses identify pressure injury stages by comparing them to apples.
Explore our system of products.
Prevention starts with the right support.
Choosing the right support surfaces and knowing how to use them correctly are key to reducing the risk of PIs, according to NPUAP.
Self-adjusting mattresses
EqualizeAire™ mattresses are recommended for prevention and treatment of pressure injuries for high-risk patients. Easy to use and easy to maintain, they can be used as a self-adjusting non-powered mattress or as an alternating pressure mattress.
Therapeutic foam mattresses
TheraTech foam mattresses feature independent load bearing cells that enable the mattress to conform to the contours of the body. These mattresses reduce pressure but some also reduce friction and shear.
OR table pads
OR table and stretcher pads help ensure optimal pressure redistribution before, during and after surgery. Our pads have three therapeutic layers that work together to help redistribute pressure.
Seating & positioning devices
Seating and repositioning devices meet a variety of patients’ needs to help prevent unequal weight distribution that can lead to injury.
Why ingredients matter.
Our Remedy® system of skin care products is fortified with a rich blend of botanical ingredients to gently cleanse, soothe and protect at-risk skin.
Cleansers
Remedy® Phytoplex® Cleansers provide gentle, yet effective care for sensitive, fragile or dry skin. Mild and pH balanced to ensure patients won’t feel the sting when cleansing and treating PIs. Supports NPUAP guidelines for using pH balanced products.
Moisturizers
For all types of skin, Remedy® Phytoplex® Nourishing Cream absorbs quickly to hydrate and moisturize the skin without feeling sticky or greasy. Remedy protects skin from water loss to help maintain skin integrity and prevent PIs. Supports NPUAP guidelines for using a skin moisturizer.
Barriers
Remedy® Phytoplex® Barrier Products are formulated to keep moisture out and hydration in to help reduce skin breakdown and prevent PIs from developing. They’re gentle enough to use on the most fragile skin.
Protectants
Remedy® Phytoplex® Skin Protectants help relieve symptoms associated with prolonged exposure to moisture, which can cause skin breakdown and lead to PIs. Our products are free of menthol and other analgesics that may cause a burning sensation on sensitive skin.
Treatments
Remedy® Phytoplex® Antifungal Clear Ointment and Powder helps relieve itching, cracking, scaling and discomfort associated with most common superficial fungal infections.
Only 50% of nurses feel they apply heel protectors correctly.2
The answer: our suspension boots are easy to apply and deliver effective pressure relief to help prevent skin breakdown. In a clinical study, our heel protectors were applied correctly 100% of the time.
Advanced
HeelMedix Advanced heel protectors are designed to offload and elevate at-risk heels for complete pressure relief. A color-coded strap system ensures the device is applied correctly.
Pro
HeelMedix Pro offloads heels, relieves pressure and helps prevent skin breakdown. The open design allows air to freely circulate and helps caregivers monitor injuries.
Basic
HeelMedix Basic offloads the heel for complete pressure relief. The anatomical strapping pattern helps the boot fit correctly.
Make a move to protect patients and caregivers.
Help patients lower their risk for PIs and protect your team from back injuries. Reposition patients safely with these simple-to-use products. Learn how one hospital unit eliminated pressure injuries with our foam wedges.
Repositioning Sheets
Intuitive and easy to use, Comfort Glide® Repositioning Sheets are safety rated for virtually all patients. Soft microfiber covers the entire top surface for patient comfort and is compatible with low air-loss mattresses.
Wedges
Comfort Glide® High-Density Foam Wedges help keep patients in the 30-degree tilt position, reducing pressure on bony prominences. Features a non-slip base to grip any surface.
Drypads
Comfort Glide® Drypads are ultra-absorbent and designed to manage moisture over long periods to help prevent skin breakdown. They keep patients 26 times drier than the leading competitor and feel dry to the touch in minutes.
Inflatable Repositioning Sheets
Comfort Glide® Air is an inflatable repositioning sheet that requires 65% less effort than a standard draw sheet to move patients. Compatible with low air-loss mattresses for effective pressure injury prevention and rated for patients up to 625 lbs.
Slings
Comfort Glide® Sling is a 2-in-1 glide sheet and repositioning sling that allows caregivers to easily reposition and lift patients using one product. The skin-friendly material can remain on the bed with the patient.
Fitted Sheets
Comfort Glide® Fitted Sheets are made of a breathable material to help prevent friction and reduce the risk of PIs. Contoured elastic along the edges of the sheet hug the mattress for a close fit.
Get to know the healing power of protein.
A diet rich in protein helps strengthen fragile skin and improve pressure injury healing, according to the NPUAP.3
Liquid Protein
Active® Liquid Protein is made of a dual protein source of hydrolyzed collagen and whey protein. A 1-oz. serving contains 15 to 21 grams of protein, roughly one-third of the FDA suggested daily value. Supports NPUAP guidelines for adequate levels of protein.
Arginine
Medline Active Critical Care Liquid Protein is a specialized nutrition supplement containing arginine that can help support the immune system to help speed recovery.4 It also contains zinc and vitamin C, important nutrients for wound healing.5,6
Protect the sacrum, lower the risk.
NPUAP recommends using preventative dressings to help protect the sacrum from friction and shear. Our foam dressings have 5 layers to provide extra absorbency and protection. Read the Q&A with the clinicians who conducted a study on our multi-layer foam dressings.
Sacrum Wound Dressing
Optifoam® Gentle features 5 layers that provide extra absorbency and protection to prevent PIs. The specially formulated silicone adhesive keeps the dressing in place but minimizes discomfort when removed or repositioned. Supports NPUAP guidelines for protecting the periwound skin.
Topics of interest.
Curated by skin health experts.
What nurses look for in skin care products
Survey reveals the importance of product selection and its impact on outcomes. PREVENTION & TREATMENT | INFOGRAPHIC
Riverside Healthcare: A case study on systemness
A healthcare system embraces standardization, starting with wound care. OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE | INFOGRAPHIC
This is staff empowerment
What does a truly empowered frontline staff look like? Here are 7 signs of confidence. BEST PRACTICES | 4 MIN READ
References
- Padula WV, Mishra MK, Makic MB, Sullivan PW. Improving the Quality of Pressure Ulcer Care with Prevention: a cost-effectiveness analysis. Med Care. 2011; 49(4):385-92. doi: 10.1097/MLR.0b013e31820292b3.
- Date on file.
- Becky Dorner, RD, LD, Mary Ellen Posthauer, RD, CD, and David Thomas, MD, CMD, FACP, The Role of Nutrition in Pressure Ulcer Prevention and Treatment: National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel White Paper, available at https://www.npuap.org/wp-ontent/uploads/2012/03/Nutrition-White-Paper-Website-Version.pdf. Accessed May 16, 2019.
- Drover JW, Dhaliwal R, Weitzel L, Wischmeyer PE, Ochoa JB, Heyland DK. Perioperative use of arginine-supplemented diets: a systematic review of the evidence. Journal of the American College of Surgeons. 2011; 212(3);385–399.
- Kogan S, Sood A, Granick MS. Zinc and wound healing: a review of zinc physiology and clinical applications. Wounds. 2017;29(4):102-106. Available at: http://www.woundsresearch.com/article/zinc-and-wound-healing-review-zinc-physiology-and-clinical-applications. Accessed November 9, 2017.
- Moores J. Vitamin C: a wound healing perspective. British Journal of Nursing. 2013;18(12):S6, S8-11. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24796079. Accessed November 9, 2017.