Are unmaintained static air support cushions affecting the patients experience
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A Mixed methods study to investigate whether unmaintained static air pressure reducing cushions affect the patient experience
IRAS ID
229213
Contact name
Peter Worsely
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Southampton
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
26711, ERGO
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 7 months, 0 days
Research summary
The prescription of support surfaces for the prevention of pressure ulcers is a key area of care that I deliver within my role as a district nurse. currently, within the trust, I am employed by the commissioning of static air cushions for this purpose require a certain level of maintenance with the requirement of regular inflation. However, if this is not completed regularly can potentially lead to harmful scenarios for patients. The maintenance of these support surfaces is critical for vulnerable individuals who have limited mobility alongside dexterity problems and has provided the motivation for this study. To be undertaken on a sample size of 15 participants within their own home one of the aims of this research is to place a pressure dominator between the participant and their current cushion to establish if their current static air cushion meets with the manufacturer's recommendations with regard the interface pressure of 0.2 psi. the other aim is to establish the patient experience by asking a series of open ended questions. The researcher will analyse all of the data to establish how we can support patients in the future to manage their own devices whilst ensuring that these cushions exert their right pressure reducing effects.
REC name
East of England - Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/EE/0352
Date of REC Opinion
22 Sep 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion