The adjustability and predictability of pediatric support surfaces are critical in the prevention of pressure injuries, according to two recent studies.

The two studies—the first published in 2015 in Advances in Wound Care, and the second published in 2016 in the Journal of Tissue Viability—reportedly represent the first biomechanical analysis of “medical device-related pressure injuries” specific to young patients, and include a director from ROHO Inc among the research team, according to a media release from the company.

Among the key findings, the release explains, the studies suggest that mattresses that are being used in neonatal and pediatric intensive care units must be able to respond to frequent movements and changing positions, and also be able to effectively adapt and conform around such things as misplaced tubing or wires, which might contact the body, deform soft tissues, and lead to pressure injuries.

In addition, the medical devices that are often needed for critically ill pediatric and neonatal patients, such as electrodes, wires, and doughnut-shaped headrests, greatly increase the risk of pressure injuries, especially when used on the back of the head, since their geometry and stiffness can greatly elevate the tissue stresses, further increasing the risk of injury.

Also, per the release, air-cell based technology mattresses provide considerably better protection against pressure injuries than regular mattresses in such cases, as the air-cells are able to locally buckle and conform around objects that are stiffer than the pediatric tissues (eg, wires, tubes, electrodes). This adaptable environment minimizes exposure to tissue deformations.

These studies were financed in part by a grant from New England Pediatric Device Consortium (NEPDC), a non-profit consortium that provides infrastructure, expert consultation to innovators, and execution of technology translation and commercialization of pediatric technologies, per the release.

“There was very little previous research on how to prevent tissue injury in newborns, especially those in intensive care. We were honored to receive the NEPDC grant and contribute to the understanding of how these precious patients can be better protected in their care environments,” says Kara Kopplin, senior director of efficacy research at ROHO Inc, in the release.

Kopplin co-authored the studies along with Professor Amit Gefen and his PhD student, Ayelet Levy, from the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Tel Aviv University in Israel.

For more information, visit ROHO Inc.

[Source(s): ROHO Inc, PRWeb]