Pressure Sore Prevention Bed: A Neu Medical Device for Pressure Sore Prevention

Abstract

Introduction: Pressure sore is a complication usually found in patients who cannot mobilize themselves. Turning the patient every two hours can prevent pressure sore development but consumes a lot of time and personnel. A modern pressure relief device can be an alternative, but the high price and high maintenance cost make it unaffordable for low income families. With these problems, a new device, Pressure Sore Prevention Bed (PSPB) was thus invented.

Materials and Methods: PSPB is a medical device which consists of two components, the bed and the inflated rubber balloons. The bed is designed in a rectangular shaped sac, 84 x 42 x 3 inches in size, separated into 12 small spaces or compartments. Each space is filled with 6 inflated rubber balloons to hold the patient's weight. Patients who were at risk of pressure sore development or patients who already had pressure sore were assigned to use PSPB instead of a conventional hospital bed. Patients need not change positions every two hours while using this medical device.

Results: PSPB can prevent pressure sore development in a high risk patient and can prevent a new lesion in a patient who already has pressure sore. The patient can lie in the same position for a longer period without developing pressure sore. The inflated balloons can hold the weight of the patient for 10-14 days, depending on the patient's weight.

Conclusions: PSPB is a new medical device which can prevent pressure sore development. With low-price, low-maintenance and easy-to-use qualities, this innovation is a highly cost-effective self-made medical device.