Abstract
Introduction: Introduction: Pressure ulcer is one of the most common and painful complications in patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs). This study aimed to compare the effects of tragacanth gel cushions and foam-filled ones on the prevention of pressure ulcers.Methods: This triple-blind, randomized, clinical trial was performed on 94 patients admitted to the ICU of Taleqhani Hospital of Mashhad, Iran. The participants were divided into two groups of tragacanth gel pad and foam (n=47 for each group). Both groups received all the routine care. The participants were examined on a daily basis during a ten-day period. We considered sacral region as the most affected site, and the patients with erythema were excluded from the study. To analyze the data, Chi-squared test, Fisher’s exact test, and t-test were run, using Stata version 12.Results: The data showed significant differences in terms of the incidence of skin redness in the tragacanth gel cushions group and foam cushion group, respectively, 6.84 (1.58) and 5.67 (1.26) days after admission. In addition, in the tragacanth gel cushions group 14 patients (29.7%) did not have skin redness compared with the foam cushion group (8.51%), which indicated a significant difference.Conclusion: This study showed that the use of tragacanth gel cushion is effective in the prevention of pressure ulcers in ICU patients. Cushions filled with tragacanth gel also delayed the onset of erythema. Considering their cost-effectiveness and naturalness, the use of tragacanth gel cushions is recommended to improve the sacral skin health and prevent pressure ulcers.
Highlights
Pressure ulcer is one of the most common and painful complications in patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs)
The risk of pressure ulcers would increase in cases of unconsciousness, paralysis, and neurological diseases or patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs).[2]
Pressure ulcers occur in different parts of the body such as the sacrum, iliac, heel, elbow, ankle, trochanter, head, and shoulders; the most common site being the sacral region which mostly happens among patients who are in supine position due to illness, 24% of whom develop bedsores in ICUs
Summary
Pressure ulcer is one of the most common and painful complications in patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs). Results: The data showed significant differences in terms of the incidence of skin redness in the tragacanth gel cushions group and foam cushion group, respectively, 6.84 (1.58) and 5.67 (1.26) days after admission. Conclusion: This study showed that the use of tragacanth gel cushion is effective in the prevention of pressure ulcers in ICU patients. Cushions filled with tragacanth gel delayed the onset of erythema Considering their cost-effectiveness and naturalness, the use of tragacanth gel cushions is recommended to improve the sacral skin health and prevent pressure ulcers. The risk factors for this complication include inactivity, high skin temperature, moisture, and the presence of frictional and shear forces.[1] the risk of pressure ulcers would increase in cases of unconsciousness, paralysis, and neurological diseases or patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs).[2] Currently, pressure ulcers affect 5-10% of patients. All the listed methods are applied as complementary methods to prevent bedsores and a few studies have been conducted on their effects separately.11The use of mattresses and cushions is one approach to prevent the development of decubitus ulcers by modifying the pressure on the skin or reducing the friction and frictional forces.[12]
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