The Use of a Fully Automated Pulsating Support System (CuroCell® A4 CX20) in Pressure Ulcer Prevention and Treatment

The Use of a Fully Automated Pulsating Support System (CuroCell® A4 CX20) in Pressure Ulcer Prevention and Treatment: a Clinical Test in 10 Belgian Nursing Homes

Pressure Ulcers are a serious and common problem for residents admitted to long-term care facilities and community care patients. They represent a major burden to patients, carers and the Healthcare system, affecting approximately 1 in 20 community patients. International guidelines recommend the use of pressure redistribution support surfaces, systematic patient repositioning and preventive skin care to prevent pressure ulcers.

It has been acknowledged that a significant proportion of pressure ulcers are avoidable. The prevalence of pressure ulcers is 1 of the 4 common harms recorded in the UK NHS Safety Thermometer, a local improvement tool for measuring, monitoring and analyzing patient harms across a range of settings, including nursing homes, community nursing and hospitals on a monthly basis.

Inclusion Criteria:

• At risk of pressure ulcer development based on a Braden score ≤ 17 or pressure ulcer category III or IV
• Bedbound or chair bound
• Aged ≥ 65

Exclusion Criteria:

• Short-stay residents (expected length of stay ≤14 days)
• End of life care
• Medical contraindication for patient repositioning/turning