Module 8 - Pressure Management
Aim | Rationale | OutcomesAim
This module provides information on the management of pressure and the impact of pressure issues on clients with SCI. It offers strategies to manage pressure in a seating and wheeled mobility system.
Rationale
A high percentage of people with SCI experience skin breakdown. A priority goal of seating is to prevent the development of sitting-acquired pressure ulcers which frequently result in hospitalisation.
Middleton et al (2004) investigated the frequency, cause and duration of re-hospitalisation in individuals with SCI living in New South Wales over a 10-year period (n=253). This paper found that:
- Pressure sores account for 6.6% of total readmissions
- Pressure sores account for 27.9% (4219) of re-hospitalisation bed days
Apart from the cost to health care, pressure ulcers have significant negative impact on a person's physical, psychosocial and financial status. During the conservative or surgical management phase, a client's ability to conduct work and self-care activities is reduced, while the level of isolation and dependency may increase. Furthermore, extensive periods of bed rest can result in a reduction of cardiac respiratory fitness, physical deconditioning, development of postural asymmetry and contractures.
Outcomes
At the conclusion of this module, you will be able to:
- understand the terminology related to pressure
- list some of the pressure risk factors, risk assessment tools and common locations of pressure areas
- recognise indicators for pressure management in seating and wheeled mobility systems
- identify pressure-related issues in seating and wheeled mobility
- set seating goals to manage pressure-related issues, and
- list the key principles to address pressure issues in seating and wheeled mobility systems.