The impact of water mattresses on incidence of PUs in patients with spinal cord injuries in Nigeria

Abstract

To evaluate the impact of water mattresses on the incidence of pressure ulcers and length of hospitalisation in patients with spinal cord injuries in Nigeria. A retrospective review was conducted of all patients who presented and were managed for complete traumatic spinal cord injury between January 2005 and December 2008. This period included 2 years prior to, and 2 years following, the introduction of water mattresses to the ward; patients from these periods were grouped as A and B, respectively. Information collated from the medical records included demographic data, wound aetiology, time to presentation, level of injury, complications, treatment, and duration of hospitalisation and follow-up. Outcome measures were presence or absence of pressure ulcers and length of hospital stay. In total, 201 patients were treated within the study period. Of these, 99 patients met the inclusion criteria; 35 patients (19 paraplegics and 16 tetraplegics) were managed between 2005 and 2006 (group A), while 64 patients (28 paraplegics and 36 tetraplegics) were managed in 2007 and 2008 (group B). The age range of the included patients was 9-76 years (39.0 ± 4.6 years and 41.5 ± 3.2 years for groups A and B, respectively) and all were male. Patient characteristics were similar for the two groups; however, there was a significant difference between the two groups in terms of presence of pressure ulcers, deteriorating of existing ulcers and condition of the patient on discharge (p < 0.05). The majority of pressure ulcers are preventable and a simple support surface, such as water mattresses, can reduce the incidence and magnitude of pressure ulceration, thus reducing hospital stay. The authors do not have any financial relationship with any organisation that manufactures water mattresses, either locally or overseas. There were no external sources of funding for this study.