SYST'AM® - Our solutions to prevent pressure sores

PRESSURE ULCER CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM ACCORDING EPUAP*

Stage 0 Skin in good state

Stage 1
Nonblanchable erythema

Intact skin with non-blanchable redness of a localized area usually over a bony prominences

Stage 2
Partial thickness skin loss

Partial thickness loss of dermis presenting as a shallow open ulcer with a red pink wound bed

Stage 3
Full thickness skin loss

Full thickness tissue loss. Subcutaneous fat may be visible but bone, tendon or muscle are not exposed.

Stage 4
Full thickness tissue loss

Full thickness tissue loss with exposed bone, tendon or muscle.

* According to Quick Reference Guide EPUAP (European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel).

Additional Categories

Unstageable/ Unclassified: Full thickness skin or tissue loss – depth unknown

Full thickness tissue loss in which actual depth of the ulcer is completely obscured by slough (yellow, tan, gray, green or brown) and/or eschar (tan, brown or black) in the wound bed. Further description: Until enough slough and/or eschar are removed to expose the base of the wound, the true depth cannot be determined; but it will be either a Category/Stage III or IV. Stable (dry, adherent, intact without erythema or fluctuance) eschar on the heels serves as “the body’s natural (biological) cover” and should not be removed.

Suspected Deep Tissue Injury-depth unknown

Purple or maroon localized area of discolored intact skin or blood-filled blister due to damage of underlying soft tissue from pressure and/or shear. Further description: The area may be preceded by tissue that is painful, firm, mushy, boggy, warmer or cooler as compared to adjacent tissue. Deep tissue injury may be difficult to detect in individuals with dark skin tones. Evolution may include a thin blister over a dark wound bed. The wound may further evolve and become covered by thin eschar. Evolution may be rapid exposing additional layers of tissue even with treatment.

FREQUENT CAUSES OF PRESSURE ULCER

AETIOLOGY

IMMOBILISATION
&> 2-3 hours, prolonged compression

MORPHOLOGY

AGE

NUTRITION:
deficiencies, metabolic, digestive or renal disorders,

MACERATION

DISTURBED SENSITIVITY

RESPIRATORY DISORDERS

BLOOD DISORDERS

Pressure ulcer LOCATIONS

PRIMARY ZONE THREATENED BY RISK OF pressure ulcers:
the Sacro-Gluteal zone (50% of sores)

SECOND MOST PREVALENT ZONE:
the Heels (35%)

THIRD ZONE:
the Occiput (10%)

FOURTH ZONE:
the Shoulder blades (5%)

Figures about pressure ulcers

Conclusion

The best treatment remains Prevention

PRESSURE RELIEVING SUPPORTS: their roles

THE ROLE OF THE pressure ulcer PREVENTION SUPPORTS

Areas at high risk of developing pressure ulcer are areas where pressure on the tissue are maximised between support and bones.
The role of pressure ulcer prevention supports consists in reducing the Max. pressures through enlarging the support surface harmoniously on the all contact surface with the support. The pressures transfer toward areas at lower risk enables the reduction of the Max. pressures and therefore reduces the risk of pressure ulcer.

The pressures transfer from areas at high risk toward areas at lower risk is realised through:

The softness and elasticity of materials

The increase of the contact surface with the support

The reduction of frictions and shear forces

Reduction of moisture

Humidity and maceration effects represent a major factor of developing pressure ulcer. The role of pressure ulcer prevention supports is to allow optimal ventilation and aeration.

This can be done:

Through the breathability of the protecting cover;
by the ventilation of the support.