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AHCPR
The Agency for Healthcare Policy and Research (AHCPR), is under the US Department of Health and Human Services. The Agency is charged with writing guidelines dealing with the prevention or treatment of various disease states that threaten the US population. Guidelines that have been written include diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, and pressure ulcers. There are 6 monographs written on pressure ulcers. The Clinical Practice Guideline
(AHCPR Publication #94-0075) presents recommendations with brief supporting information,
tables and figures, and pertinent references. The Quick Reference Guide for Clinicians
is a distilled version of the Clinical Practice Guideline, with summary points
for ready reference on a day-to-day basis. The Consumer Version, available in
English and Spanish, is an information booklet for the general public to increase
patient knowledge and involvement in health care decision making. The Guidelines
can be obtained by calling 202-512-1800.
The AHCPR Guidelines for Pressure Ulcers have become the basis used for the prevention
and treatment of pressure ulcers in most health care facilities. These Guidelines
are frequently the standard by which facility protocols are measured for appropriate
patient treatment.
A method of pressure management. Air cylinders are inflated and deflated in an
A-B-A-B pattern; at a given moment, the A's are relatively inflated and the B's
relatively deflated, then an attached pump automatically switches the inflation/deflation
of the cylinders so that A's are relatively deflated and B's are relatively inflated.
Destroying or inhibiting the growth of fungi
Unique skin integrity challenges of the bariatric client:
Bariatric patients generally score very low on risk assessment tools like the Braden Scale. Their higher ulcer risk is due to:
Braden Scale is an assessment tool for determining a patient’s risk level for
incurring skin breakdown. It has been tested in acute care and long-term-care
settings, and demonstrates high interrater reliability. Validity has been established
by expert opinion, and predictive validity has been studied in several acute care
settings with good sensitivity and specificity demonstrated. The AHCPR Guidelines
recommend the use of either the Braden or the Norton Scales. Connect to www.bradenscale.com for a copy of the scale, scoring, and suggested interventions depending on the
resulting score.
See Constant Force Technology
A method of equalizing pressure over the surface of the body by means of interconnected
air-filled tubes that shift air from tubes under more pressure to tubes under
less pressure. This allows greater immersion of the body into the mattress, which
decreases pressures under any single point, and distributes pressures over as
great an area as possible.
The amount of material that comprises a given sample size. Measured as the weight
of the material divided by a volume of that material, usually written as lbs/inch3
(pounds per cubic inch). Relates to the life or durability of the foam. Typical
ranges: Overlays 1.4-1.7, mattress cores 1.7-3.0
A silicone oil that is FDA approved for use as both a protectant and emollient.
Its skin-adherent and water repellant properties protect the skin by forming a
barrier to soap and water and to water-soluble irritants.
An exclusive feature of selected Span-America products in which a tough but flexible
wipe-clean coating is fused to the product's foam surface. The coating permanently
protects the foam from moisture and air, the two factors that decrease the effective
lifespan of foam products. Unlike painted-on or sprayed-on coatings that make
foam hard and heavy, the Durafilm coating is ultra-lightweight and has very little
effect on the feel of the products to which it is applied.
A Group 2 Medicare code that is commonly referred to, as it contains all powered mattresses
with the exception of air fluidized therapy. PressureGuard APM, APM2, Safety Supreme and
Easy Air are all in the EO277 code. Click here for Medicare's Medical Policy on this code.
One of the Group 2 Medicare reimbursement codes for mattresses that are commonly used to assist
in the treatment of pressure ulcers. EO373 is a description of "An advanced, non-powered
pressure reducing Mattress". The PressureGuard CFT is one of a select few included
in this code. Click here for more information on Medicare's Medical Policy for this code.
Fatty substances that, when applied to the skin, penetrate below the surface
layers to increase skin elasticity, rendering the skin soft and pliable. Emollients
in Selan include Dimethicone (silicone), cetyl alcohol, glycerol monostearate,
and lanolin.
The fee schedule lists amounts, floors, and ceilings for all procedure codes
subject to the DMEPOS (Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics/Orthotics, and Supplies)
fee schedule payment methodology. In addition, this file provides the DMEPOS payment
category, jurisdiction, and short description assigned to each procedure code.
Medicare carriers and fiscal intermediaries use the DMEPOS fee schedule to price
Medicare DMEPOS claims. Hcfa.gov/stats/pufiles.htm/ DME00_B.EXE.
Fire-Barrier Sleeve and Life Safety Code® NFPA 101® (1997 version)
The NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) Life Safety Code is a comprehensive
document that "addresses those construction, protection, and occupancy features
necessary to minimize danger to life from fire, including smoke, fumes, or panic.
Among many other things, this code requires newly constructed and renovated hospitals
to be protected by automatic sprinkler systems. JCAHO and HCFA both utilize the
requirements of NFPA 101, Life Safety Code for determining compliance. For facilities
that are not deemed "fully sprinklered" by the appropriate local authority, beginning
in January 1998, the 1997 code and the JCAHO requirement apply to newly acquired
mattresses, in both new and older facilities. To be in compliance, mattresses
must meet the requirements of fire code ASTM E1590 and California Technical Bulletin
129 (CAL 129), or CAL 133 for wheelchair cushions. This is a stricter flammability
requirement than "Cal 117", the often-cited minimal standard for foam products
used in long term care residences and hospitals. Generally, successfully passing
ASTM E1590 and CAL 129 or 133 requires the addition of a fire-barrier fabric inner
sleeve around the mattress or cushion. Span-America offers versions equipped with
such a sleeve for all models of Span-America Geo-Mattress and PressureGuard mattress
models, as well as for all models of Isch-Dish, Gel-T and Geo-Matt seat cushions.
A unique support surface design in which computer-guided equipment is used
to cut foam into a geometric pattern of supportive cubes that are undercut with
an open channel. Unlike flat or convoluted ("eggcrate") foam, these individual
cubes allow the surface to conform to the body and accommodate bony prominences.
This minimizes the pulling of the skin and tissue both directly across and adjacent
to the bony prominence, thereby offsetting the harmful effects of shearing forces.
The resulting channel helps to disperse heat and moisture away from the body and
out into the atmosphere. The channel also assists in pressure management by providing,
in effect, a layer of air between two layers of foam to enhance conformance of
the foam to the body. The Geo-Matt design was truly revolutionary when introduced
in the first Geo-Matt overlay 1980's. Until that time, most overlays were simple
convoluted foam, which offered patient comfort but very little therapeutic benefit.
Based on its clinical efficacy as an overlay surface, Span-America has gone on
to incorporate the design into the surface of many of its mattress, seat cushions,
and patient positioning products.
One of the three groups of mattresses designated by Medicare. Group 1 is divided
into 11 codes, and contains powered and non-powered overlays, and non-powered
mattresses. The patient must meet certain criteria to qualify for any products
in this group. Group 1 is generally considered the "prevention" group, as these
products are mainly used for prevention of, or early intervention for, pressure
ulcers. Foam mattresses are in code EO184.
Click here for patient criteria and product choices.
Click here for links to Medicare Policies and fee schedules regarding support surfaces.
The second of three groups of mattresses designated by Medicare. Group 2 is divided
into 5 codes, and contains powered mattresses (EO277 includes low-air-loss, alternating
pressure and lateral rotation), and a very small group of non-powered overlays
and mattresses (EO373). The patient must meet certain criteria to qualify for
any products in this group, including having been on a Group 1 mattress for 30
days with no signs of improvement in the pressure ulcer(s). Group 2 is generally
considered the "treatment" group, as these products are mainly used for the treatment
of pressure ulcers.
Click here for patient criteria and product choices.
Click here for links to Medicare Policies and fee schedules regarding support surfaces. The third of three groups of mattresses as designated by Medicare. Group 3 contains
the air-fluidized products.
Defined negative changes in the body that occur with extended bedrest. These
include decreased oxygen uptake, loss of bone mass, loss of skin integrity, loss
of appetite, decreased cardiovascular functioning, An excellent article is "The
Hazards of Immobility", published in the America Journal of Nursing (AJN) April,
1967, Vol 67, No. 4.
A feature of a mattress where the foot end of the mattress slopes down, relieving
pressure on the heels. In independent clinical studies, this method has been shown
to decrease interface pressure on the heels an average of 27% below interface
pressures on heels generated on flat foam surfaces. (Studies available from Span-America
upon request). Click here for more information on the Heel Slope.
Hospital Bed Safety Workgroup – a The HBSW was formed in 1999 by the FDA (see: www.fda.gov/cdrh/beds ) in partnership with representatives from the medical bed industry, national
healthcare organizations, ECRI, patient advocacy groups, and other governmental
agencies including the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Consumer
Product Safety Commission, and Veterans Administration and the Medical Devices
Bureau of Health Canada. The group has focused on raising awareness of the entrapment
hazard and educating caregivers and family members on the problems associated
with bedrail use. For further information about the HBSW Bed System Entrapment
Assessment Kit and to access the RFP, visit www.ecri.org/bedsafety . Questions may be directed via e-mail to bedsafety@ecri.org.
Agents that help the skin retain its natural moisture, keeping the skin soft
and preventing tissue damage. Sorbitol is the humectant in Selan products.
Indentation Load Deflection, or Indentation Force Deflection - The measure of
the stiffness of open-cell foam. Measured as the number of pounds needed to indent
a 4" x 12" x 12" sample of the foam with a 50 square inch circular plate a certain
distance.
25% ILD/IFD - indents the foam 25% of the way through the sample, or 1". A measure
of conformability or ability to immerse the patient to distribute weight.
65% ILD/IFD - indents the foam 65% of the way through the sample, or 2.5". A
measure of the compressibility (called the "65% ILD or IFD"). Also can be considered
the measure of compressability or the ability to support the patient and prevent
bottoming out.
Target number for overlays = 30-40#. Target for mattresses = 30-50# (material
at the base can be stiffer than material at the patient surface). Seat cushions
sometimes use foams with values higher than 50.
Sinking the body into a material (foam, air bladders, etc) to evenly disperse
pressure over the entire weight-bearing surface. Too much immersion into a surface
will cause "bottoming out", and too little immersion will cause increased pressure
on bony prominences that can lead to pressure ulcers. Therefore, the ability of
a surface to immerse a patient must be balanced with it's ability to support a
patient from bottoming out.
The two small prominences at the bottom of the pelvis that sustain the greatest
pressures in sitting on flat surfaces. The ischials are a frequent site of skin
breakdown in patients who are sitting-dependent, e.g., wheelchair users.
A method of pressure management with support surfaces that can be programmed
to rotate the patient up to 40° in either direction from flat supine. Lateral
rotation (a.k.a. adjuvant therapy, rotation therapy) was originally developed
in the late 1980's to attempt to prevent respiratory involvement in the ICU/CCC
patient, or the patient on extended bedrest. Since its introduction into the market,
lateral rotation has been used increasingly for the management of skin. Indications
for this method of pressure management include prevention or healing of breakdown
in patients at high risk due to their ability to maintain only one or two positions.
Additionally, lateral rotation has been used for patients who cannot tolerate
manual handling to be turned due to pain. These patients would include those with
arthritis, hip fractures or replacements and skin conditions causing pain with
contact.
Lateral rotation does NOT replace manual turning to reposition if the patient
can tolerate it. Repositioning is meant to change the relationship of the body
surface to the support surface, not to horizontal. If the mattress is rotated
to 30°, then the patient should be positioned 20-30° from the surface of the mattress,
not from horizontal. This gives the skin a chance to fully re-perfuse, to "breathe",
to ventilate sweat and heat. Repositioning also shifts weightbearing points.
Span-America manufactures PressureGuard APM2 which provides lateral rotation. The PressureGuard APM² can be changed from alternating
pressure to lateral rotation with the flip of a switch, but cannot be programmed.
Its rotation is fixed to 10-minute cycles.
One technology of powered mattresses. Used to decrease excessive body heat and
sweat from the patient's body surface.
Low-Air-Loss (LAL) mattresses are made of a motor and pump for inflation, and
a single or multiple air bladders that comprise the mattress part of the system.
The air bladders are designed to purge air, usually through laser-made holes in
the surface of the bladders. Some products purge air through the link between
the tubing and the motor, or through the material that the bladders are made of. The
air goes into the space between the cylinders and the mattress cover. Heat and
moisture vapor from the patient diffuse through the mattress cover and into the
cover/cylinder space, and is moved away from the patient through air flow. As
the patient immerses into the mattress, the pump detects changing pressures and
inflation levels in the cylinder(s) and replaces that air via the pump and tubing
to prevent the patient from "bottoming out". They are in the Group 2 category of mattresses under Medicare.
Click here to learn about the unique Easy Air technology.
To soften by wetting or soaking. In the context of skin breakdown, it refers
to degenerative changes and disintegration of skin when it has been kept too moist.
Skin softened by maceration is more susceptible to the effects of pressure, shear,
and friction.
Place patient lying down on their side with knees pulled toward chest, and feel
for the ischials as pictured in Figure A:
 Measure the distance from the center of one ischial tuberosity to the center
of the other. The distance measurement is the ischial span, Figure B:
 If measurement is between 4.25" - 5", choose Small pocket. 5" - 5.75", choose
Medium pocket. 5.75" - 6.75", choose Large pocket. For measurements on borderline,
choose larger pocket if user is female or big-boned male. Click here for printable version.
An active ingredient, proven effective against superficial fungal infections.
The ratio of the 65% ILD to the 25% ILD; balances the immersion capabilities
with the support capabilities of the foam.
The National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel is an independent, not-for-profit
organization dedicated to the prevention and management of pressure ulcers. Formed
in 1987, the NPUAP is comprised of two groups: 1) leading authorities, representing
various healthcare disciplines, including medicine, nursing, research, and education,
and 2) a sponsoring group of corporations that share the ideals of the NPUAP.
The NPUAP sponsors regular conferences, has educational materials available, and
has been on the forefront of pressure ulcer documentation, including defining
the stages of pressure ulcers and designing the PUSH tool for documenting the
healing of pressure ulcers.
Refers to convoluted or "eggcrate" foam. "Peak" is defined as the distance between
the bottom surface and the top of the points of foam. "Base" is defined as the
distance (or, the thickness) from the bottom surface to the lowest point in the
valley between two peaks of foam. A base height of at least 2" is recommended
for patient care.
The re-distribution of pressure off of bony prominences and points of pressure
concentration. This can include products that give a more equal distribution of
pressure such as foam mattresses, those that change form as the patient moves
such as the PressureGuard CFT, or those that are powered to change air volume
under the patient such as the PressureGuard APM² (alternating air) or the PressureGuard
EasyAir (low-air-loss).
A method of determining interface pressures, or the pressures between the skin
and a support surface, whether mattress or chair seat. Mapping refers to the use
of devices that measure interface pressures over large areas simultaneously. The
devices consist of 1) a seat-sized to mattress-sized pad composed of dozens to
hundreds of small sensors, 2) a data processor and computer, 3) display and supportive
software. Mapping is generally considered to be superior to single-site interface
pressure readings, because mapping indicates the distribution of pressure over
a larger surface. Single-site interface pressures can be done with relatively
inexpensive single cell meters; cells are generally about 2" in diameter.
Click here for a short discussion of this term.
Click here for a short discussion of this term.
The layering of various stiffnesses of foam to take advantage of their best qualities.
For mattresses, softer foam is layered on top of stiffer foam, so that the patient
can immerse into the top foam while the bottom foam supports the patient from
bottoming out. In seating, the same principle is applied, so that the stiffer
foams can add to longevity of the product while the softer foams are more tissue-friendly.
Mattress design feature in which the height of the mattress at its side edges
is greater than the height at its center, usually by about 2 inches. The raised
perimeter is designed to serve three purposes: 1) to help guide the patient back
toward the center of the mattress and away from dangerous position near the edge
of the bed; 2) to cradle patients who are at-risk for wandering (eg: dementia),
helping to keep them from exiting or attempting to exit the bed without required
assistance; and 3) to fill in the space between the siderails and the mattress
edge to prevent body parts from becoming trapped and injured.
The ability of foam to recover from compression. Increased resilience yields
a foam with a greater lifespan.
Long-term-care facilities must follow federal regulations regarding the reduction
of usage of restraints.
In part, the regulations read:
"The resident has the right to be free from any physical or chemical restraints
imposed for purposes of discipline or convenience, and not required to treat the
resident's medical symptoms."*
"Restraint use may constitute an accident hazard and professional standards of
practice have eliminated the need for physical restraints except under limited
medical circumstances. Therefore, medical symptoms that would warrant the use
of restraints should be reflected in the comprehensive assessment and care planning.
It is further expected that for those residents whose care plans indicate the
need for restraints that the facility engage in a systematic and gradual process
toward reducing restraints."*
*From Guidance to Surveyors, Regulation 483.13(a).
 The tunnel of air at the base of each cube of foam in the Geo-Matt cut. The tunnel,
or ring, helps to transport heat and moisture away from the body, and assists
in the conformance of the foam to the body for pressure dispersion. In effect,
the Ring-of-Air in the foam creates a foam/air /foam layered product. Click here for more information on the Geo-Matt.Triangular-shaped bone at the base of the spine, between the crests of the pelvis.
The Sacrum is between the lower back and the "tailbone" or coccyx. Because the
sacrum has little muscle or fat tissue protecting it, and takes excessive loads
during supine lying and slouched sitting, the sacrum is the area of the body with
the highest incidence of pressure ulcers.
 Mechanical force that acts on the skin in a direction parallel to the body's
surface. Shear is the result of two forces pulling the skin in opposite directions:
the support surface pulls the skin in one direction while the underlying bone
pulls the skin in the opposite direction. The classic example of this occurs on
the sacrum as the patient is put into the Fowler's position with the head of the
bed elevated. Patients will slide down toward the foot end of the bed, and cause
shearing of the skin over the sacrum as it is dragged across the support surface.
A pliable, elastic sleeve of thin urethane that is fitted to the Geo-Matt overlay
or wheelchair cushions to protect them from moisture.
 An observable pressure related alteration of intact skin whose indicators as
compared to the adjacent or opposite area on the body may include changes in one
or more of the following: skin temperature (warmth or coolness), tissue consistency
(firm or boggy feel) and/or sensation (pain, itching). The ulcer appears as a
defined area of persistent redness in lightly pigmented skin, whereas in darker
skin tones, the ulcer may appear with persistent red, blue, or purple hues.
Partial-thickness skin loss involving epidermis or dermis, or both. The ulcer
is superficial and presents clinically as an abrasion, blister, or shallow crater.
Full-thickness skin loss involving damage or necrosis of subcutaneous tissue,
which may extend down to but not through underlying fascia. The ulcer presents
clinically as a deep crater with or without undermining of adjacent tissue.
Full-thickness skin loss with extensive destruction, tissue necrosis, or damage
to muscle bone or supporting structures (such as tendon, joint capsule).
The ability of a mattress to hold the patient up off the frame of the bed or
springs and prevent "bottoming out". Too much support will cause excessive pressures
on bony prominences and prevent immersion of the body into the surface. Support
must be balanced with immersion, so that a patient has pressure dispersed across
the weight-bearing surface without bottoming out.
A bony prominence on the femur, or thigh bone, that can be felt at the top of
the side of the thigh. The trochanter has a lateral surface (on the side), a posterior
surface (on the back surface of the thigh), and an anterior (front) surface. The
lateral surface of the trochanter is implicated in a large percentage of pressure
ulcers, as patients are placed in a 90-degree or fetal sidelying position. In
this position, the lateral trochanter becomes a major weight-bearing prominence,
and causes pressure ulcers on the skin overlying the bone. Because of the prevalence
of pressure ulcers on this prominence, the AHCPR Guidelines advocate using a 30-degree
sidelying position; that is, placing the patient in a position such that the plane
of the patient's back or front is 30-degrees from the surface of the bed.
Sometimes called "T-foam", "memory foam", or "temperature sensitive foam". Refers
to foam that has more of a fluid-like base, sometimes referred to as a fluid with
shape and memory. "Visco" foam has a very slow rate of flow. The stiffness of
visco foam changes with temperature. As it is warmed, for example by body temperature,
it softens, and conforms to the shape placed upon it. The effectiveness of Visco
is highly dependent on its density.
Zinc Oxide is classified as an astringent. Astringents, when topically applied,
form a film on the epidermal layers of the skin and do not penetrate to the deeper
layers of the skin. This action forms a barrier that prohibits harsh environmental
conditions from reaching deeper layers of the skin. This allows the skin's natural
healing processes to be more effective.
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