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Products |
| Respiratory
Group >Interventional Hygiene |
Interventional Hygiene
Heel Protection
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Heel Protection |
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The most advanced protection against heel pressure ulcers and foot drop—just got even better.
Prevalon helps minimize pressure, friction and shear on the feet, heels and ankles of your non-ambulatory patients. By off-loading the heel, it delivers total, continuous heel pressure relief. Its unique design also helps reduce the risk of plantar flexion (foot drop).
Fully adjustable stretch panels provide a secure, comfortable fit—and now they’re tethered to the boot to make it easier to reapply.
Prevalon’s outer surface is constructed with strong, ripstop nylon, the same material used in parachutes and outdoor gear. This smooth outer covering repels liquids and makes Prevalon easy to wipe clean.
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Problem: Heel pressure ulcers remain prevalent despite being largely preventable.
Heel Pressure Ulcers Are Preventable
Of all pressure ulcers, 30.3% develop on the heel and 6.1% on the malleolus (ankle bone), the second and fifth most common sites.1 Despite continuous advancements in healthcare, the problem continues to grow. As one new study found, 43% of hospital-acquired pressure ulcers (HAPUs) at one hospital developed on the heel.2 With such a great number of patients at risk, it’s not surprising—until you consider HAPUs are “largely preventable.”3
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Patients at Risk for Heel Pressure Ulcers
Of the risk factors that occur in patients who develop pressure ulcers, impaired mobility is the most frequent at 87%.4 Over half suffer from malnutrition and decreased mental status. Other risk factors include peripheral vascular disease, diabetes mellitus, metastatic cancer, spinal cord injury, etc.4 While external pressure causes decreased perfusion (blood flow), it can also result from arteriole disease, diabetes, circulatory problems, decreased hyperemic response and age.5 |
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Diabetes: Enemy of Heels
According to one published report, “When a diabetic patient with peripheral neuropathy is confined to a bed, the heel is particularly vulnerable to trauma. Because of the loss of sensation, the patient tends to keep the heels in the same position. In addition, the heel suffers friction trauma when the patient uses it to change body position. These two processes lead to ischemic pressure necrosis and skin breakdown; infection and gangrene can follow.”6 |
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Even “Least Risk” Patients Need Protection
According to one prevention guideline, “those who are at significant risk may develop Stage I ulcers in less than 2 hours on a standard support surface.”7 Once again, immobility is the key. New research, presented at the 2006 Symposium on Advanced Wound Care, studied patients hospitalized for hip fracture or total knee replacement surgery over a two-year period. Of those who developed HAPUs, 91% had Braden scores in the “least risk” category (18-15).2 Meanwhile, well over 700,000 total knee and hip replacements are performed in the U.S. each year.8 |
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Surgical Patients Also At Risk
For surgical patients, risk is increased while lying immobile in pre-surgery, then continues during the entire procedure and through post-op recovery. For virtually any surgery, these three phases can add up to several hours without proper heel protection. In one study, surgeries greater than three hours accounted for almost 25% of HAPUs, plus 30% to 40% of the total costs.3 About 4.4 million surgeries over three hours are performed in the U.S. each year.3 |
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Enormous Hospital Costs
In the U.S. each year, hospital patients are treated for approximately 2.5 million pressure ulcers.9 The annual cost of treating nosocomial pressure ulcers alone is $2.2 to $3.6 billion.3 Costs increase with wound stage, ranging “…from $2,000 to $30,000 for stage 1, 2, or 3 ulcers to $70,000 for a complex, full-thickness stage 4 ulcer.”10
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Solution: Prevalon™ delivers advanced protection against heel pressure ulcers and plantar flexion.
Extra Protection for At-Risk Heels
Special support surfaces, such as beds, mattresses and overlays, do not provide complete pressure relief for heels.13 Non-ambulatory patients require added protection their heels must be off-loaded.13 Prevalon completely off-loads the heel, delivering total, continuous pressure relief. It also helps minimize pressure, friction and shear on the feet and ankles. By maximizing support under the foot, it even helps prevent plantar flexion. And a new stabilizer wedge is available to help prevent lateral foot and leg rotation. |
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Proven results against HAPUs
Poster presented at the 2006 Symposium on Advanced Wound Care2 As this study found, incorporating a heel pressure ulcer prevention protocol—combined with early, aggressive implementation of pressure-relieving devices—reduces the rate of heel pressure ulcers. In fact, “…no heel FAPUs were attributed to the intervention units during the study period.”
The study featured two different heel protectors—Prevalon and a waffle-style competitor. While patients in both intervention groups developed zero heel pressure ulcers, nurses ranked Prevalon at a statistically significant, higher level for the following:
- Protects heels from pressure, friction and shear
- Floats the heel for total pressure relief
- DVT compression device compatibility
- No hard, sharp or rough edges
- Comfortable interior
- Not too warm
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Proven results against existing heel pressure ulcers
Case study conducted at Salem Village Nursing and Rehabilitation Center (Joliet, IL)14 An 88-year-old male patient was admitted with severe contracture to his knee and existing stage IV ulcer on the heel and lateral malleolus. After two years trying to heal the ulcer without success, clinicians consulted with the patient’s family regarding lower leg amputation.
After learning about Prevalon, nursing gained approval to try two new interventions—Prevalon for heel protection and silver alginate for wound dressing. By the second month, the wound had closed completely. Nursing continued using Prevalon and the patient’s wound healed completely and remained free of heel ulcers. |
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| References: 1. Amlung SR, Miller WL, Bosley LM, Adv Skin Wound Care. Nov/Dec 2001;14(6):297-301. 2. Walsh J, DeOcampo M, Waggoner D, Keeping heels intact: evaluation of a protocol for prevention of facility-acquired heel pressure ulcers. Poster presented at the Symposium on Advanced Wound Care, San Antonio, TX. Apr 2006. 3. Beckrich K, Aronovitch SA, Nursing Economics. Sep/Oct 1999;17(5):263-71. 4. Maklebust J, Magnan MA, Adv Wound Care. Nov 1994;7(6):25,27-8,31-4 passim. 5. Wong VK, Stotts NA, JWOCN. Jul 2003;30(4):191-8. 6. Levin M, Adv Wound Care. Mar/Apr 1997;10(2):24-30. 7. Folkedahl BA, Frantz R, Prevention of pressure ulcers. Iowa City (IA): University of Iowa Gerontological Nursing Interventions Research Center, Research Dissemination Core; May 2002. 8. DeFrances CJ, Podgornik MN, 2004 national hospital discharge survey. Advance Data No. 371, National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services, 4 May 2006:14. 9. Whittington KT, Briones R, Adv Skin Wound Care. Nov/Dec 2004;17(9):490-4. 10. Young ZF, Evans A, Davis J, J Nurs Admin (JONA). Jul/Aug 2003;33(7/8):380-3. 11. Pressure ulcers in adults: prediction and prevention, clinical practice guideline no. 3, AHCPR pub. no. 92-0047, May 1992:15-19. (Accessed at http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/cpgonline.htm) Note: From summary completed by ECRI, May 1, 2001. Per a recent Evidence-based Practice Center (EPC) report commissioned by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) (formerly AHCPR), the guideline is considered, in whole or in part, to still be current. 12. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, CMS Manual System, Pub. 100-07 State Operations, Provider Certification, Appendix PP – Guidance to Surveyors for LTC Facilities, F314 X483.25(c) Pressure Sores, Support Surfaces and Pressure Redistribution (Rev. 4, Issued/Effective 11-12-04). Dept. of Health & Human Svcs., Transmittal 12, 14 Oct 2005:144 (Accessed at news.cms.hhs.gov/transmittals/downloads/R12SOM.pdf). 13. Coats-Bennet U, Critical Care Nursing Quarterly. May 2002;25(1):22-32. 14. Garrett D, Intervention with a new heel protection device and silver alginate dressing to prevent amputation of lower leg due to stage IV ulcer of the heel and malleolus. Case study conducted at Salem Village Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Joliet IL, Oct 2006. 15. Preventing heel pressure ulcers in immobilized patients. Adv Skin Wound Care. 2005 Jan/Feb;18(1):22. |
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Prevalon™ Pressure Relieving Heel Protector |
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The most advanced protection against heel pressure ulcers and plantar flexion (foot drop). By elevating the foot and separating the heel from the mattress, it delivers total, continuous pressure relief for the heel.
1 universal-size heel protector/package
- Open, floated-heel design
- Adjustable stretch panels
- Ultra-soft, open-weave fabric
- Pillow-style cushioning
- Meets flammability standards
- Ambidextrous
- Latex-free
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| Product Code |
Product Name |
Description |
| 7300 |
Prevalon™ Heel Protector Boot |
8 Boots/Case |
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Prevalon™ Foot and Leg Stabilizer Wedge (for use with Prevalon Heel Protector) |
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The Prevalon™ Foot and Leg Stabilizer Wedge works with the Prevalon Heel Protector to help maintain the upright position of the foot, minimizing lateral foot and leg rotation in the highest-risk patients.
- Helps reduce pressure on the lateral side of the leg, including the peroneal nerve.
- Attaches in seconds.
- Crush-resistant foam withstands weight and constant pressure.
1
wedge/package;
- Foam wedge
- Quick-stick fastening
- Latex free
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| Product Code |
Product Name |
Description |
| 7350 |
Prevalon™ Foot & Leg Stablizer Wedge |
10 Packages/Case |
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