Efficacy of a motorized air support to prevent pressure ulcers in at-risk patients hospitalized in rehabilitation departments: incidence and prevalence studies

Abstract

The main objective was to assess the reduction of the pressure ulcers prevalence which could be obtained if Ascalis Optimo® mattresses were made available ad libitum in rehabilitation services (RS) by comparison to prevalence as observed in the national PERSE study (historical control) in similar departments using a variety of prevention aids. This cross-sectional prevalence study was combined with a prospective study of the incidence of pressure ulcer occurrence in the high-risk target population whose beds were systematically equipped with the studied support. The prevalence study shows that 12 of the 369 patients presented pressure ulcers which occurred when Ascalis Optimo® was used. It corresponds to a prevalence of 3.3% [1.4, 5.1] which is significantly lower than those recorded in the PERSE Study: 11.8% [10.8; 12.8] P<0.0001. The ulcer incidence study was conducted on 71 patients hospitalized on a bed with an Ascalis Optimo® support because of their high risk of pressure ulcers. When taking into account all pressure ulcers' stages and locations, 6 patients had a pressure ulcer corresponding to an incidence of 8.5% [3.2; 17.5]. When taking into account, only stages 2 to 4 as generally done in literature, 2 patients had a pressure ulcer i.e. an incidence of 2.8% [0.0; 6.7]. The significant decrease of the prevalence of pressure ulcer in the rehabilitation departments where Ascalis Optimo® were available when compared to the current prevalence observed in rehabilitation services and moreover the results of the study of pressure ulcer incidence in patients bedridden on Ascalis Optimo®, shows the benefit provided to patients in terms of pressure ulcers prevention.