A pressure monitoring approach for pressure ulcer prevention

BMC Biomedical Engineering, 2023 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s42490-023-00074-6 · Published: August 1, 2023

Simple Explanation

Pressure ulcers (PUs) are a significant health issue, particularly for those with limited mobility. They happen when constant pressure on the skin causes tissue damage, which lowers quality of life and has a large economic impact. Preventing PUs is better than treating them after they form. Current pressure monitoring systems don't fully account for how pressure builds up and releases over time. This study introduces a method that considers both the accumulation and release of pressure to allow for continuous monitoring. This new approach can track the ongoing effect of pressure, both while it's applied and after it's released. It could lead to better, more formal ways to monitor pressure and assess the risk of PUs in real-time.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Not specified

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
A tunable continuous pressure magnitude and duration monitoring approach is proposed that can account for the accumulated damaging effect of an applied pressure and pressure relief over a prolonged period.
2
The presented method provides ongoing indication of the net impact of a load during and after loading, unlike classic pressure monitoring approaches.
3
The tunable continuous pressure magnitude and duration monitoring approach proposed here may further development towards formalised pressure monitoring approaches that aim to provide information on the risk of PU formation in real-time.

Research Summary

This study addresses the problem of pressure ulcers (PUs), which disproportionately affect individuals with impaired mobility, leading to tissue damage from prolonged pressure. Effective prevention strategies, including pressure monitoring, are crucial. The study proposes a novel, tunable continuous pressure magnitude and duration monitoring approach. This approach accounts for both the accumulation of damaging effects from applied pressure and the relief experienced over prolonged periods, addressing the limitations of current monitoring systems. The proposed method provides real-time information on the risk of PU formation by tracking the net impact of a load on monitored tissue, considering the tissue's health status and the accumulated effect of applied load minus relief over time. This advancement could lead to more formalized and effective pressure monitoring approaches.

Practical Implications

Improved Real-time Monitoring

The proposed system allows for continuous tracking of pressure impact, enabling timely intervention and personalized pressure relief strategies.

Formalized Monitoring Methods

The study's findings can serve as a foundation for developing standardized pressure monitoring protocols, leading to better clinical outcomes.

Enhanced Device Design

The approach can inform the design of advanced support surfaces and medical devices that dynamically adjust pressure to minimize tissue damage.

Study Limitations

1
The study, for simplicity, explored the impact of pressure under fixed tissue characteristics and external factors.
2
The damaging effect estimator was based on a small sample animal data [32].
3
Further investigation is required to identify suitable relief functions and time.

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