Pressing Matters: Unveiling the power of using a smart wheelchair cushion for pressure injury prevention
Each year, 2.5 million Americans develop a pressure injury also known as a bed sore, joining the millions more experiencing the pain and negative life impacts of a pressure injury. Pressure injuries and their complications claim the lives of 60,000 Americans annually, establishing them as a top cause of preventable deaths in the United States.
Pressure injuries manifest as a result of prolonged and unmitigated pressure and shear applied to the skin when lying down or remaining seated. Individuals with limited mobility, such as those with spinal cord injuries (SCI), face heightened pressure injury risks, with around 95% of the SCI community affected. Geriatric care recipients also have a high risk, with rates in nursing homes ranging from 7% to 23%.
The cost of treatment ranges from $37,800 to $70,000 per injury, totaling $11 billion in annual healthcare expenses. Additionally, 17,000 lawsuits are filed yearly due to pressure injuries, often targeting nursing homes and hospitals.
While vital for preventing pressure injuries, many wheelchair users do not adhere to clinical recommendations for proper pressure offloading. A 2002 study by Stockton et al. found that only 20.8% of participants performed offloading at least once per hour, deviating significantly from the recommended frequency of every 15 minutes.
Developed through nearly two years of R&D, customer interviews, clinical evaluations, and consultation with industry partners, Orbiter by Kalogon aims to bridge the gap between clinical recommendations for weight shifts/pressure offloads and what is actually possible outside of the care setting for individuals with mobility difficulties. The orbiter smart cushion offers four key attributes:
Provide a dynamic surface capable of performing targeted pressure redistributions around the pelvis and thighs to reduce stagnant pressure points.
Allow for precise customization by the end user, care provider or clinician to tailor pressure reliefs and support to unique individual needs
Adapt to postural, weight and seating position changes to effectively manage pressure changes over time.
Implement a self-checking system, capable of detecting when to increase or decrease inflation levels, monitor for air leaks and eliminate the need for complex maintenance.
View the full Kalogon Case Study below to see how the Orbiter by Kalogon can make a difference in the prevention and healing of pressure injuries.
All citations are reflected in the full White Paper available at https://www.kalogon.com/study-and-whitepaper
To learn more about pressure injuries, read recent articles surrounding pressure injury research, and participate in raising awareness for Worldwide Pressure Injury Prevention Day, visit https://npiap.com/news/?id=14613