Denise M. Korniewicz PhD. RN, FAAN - IUPUI

Denise M. Korniewicz PhD. RN, FAANProfessor & Sr. Associate Dean of ResearchJeanne Siegel PhD., ARNPAssistant ProfessorVivian Padron Fajardo PhD, ARNPAssistant Professor

Pressure Ulcers (PUs) is associated with increased hospital lengthof stay and costsThe Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) reportedthat 257,412 individuals had preventable PUs as their secondarydiagnosis in 2007 and that the cost of treating such ulcers was wellover $40,000 per hospital stay2005 data from the International Pressure Ulcer Prevalence TMProgram shows only a small decrease in overall prevalence ratesfrom preceding years with overall prevalence at approximately 14%to 15% in the acute care setting

October, 2008, the CMS stopped paying for PUs resulting fromhospitalizationBergstrom (2005) reported that electrical low air loss mattresseswere useful in the prevention of pressure ulcers in patients at risk. LOS directly correlates to increase in PUs (Rosen, 2006) Racial differences exist (Blacks vs. Whites) (Lyder, 2004)

1) Determine the clinical effectiveness of low-air losssurfaces (VersaCare AIR, VersaCare P500) in theprevention of PUs.2) Determine differences in the adjusted Braden scoresbetween those using VersaCare AIR & VersaCareP500 mattress surfaces.3) Explore the demographic and therapeutic factorsassociated with the risk of skin breakdown asmeasured by Braden scores

Design: A quasi-experimental clinical trial was conductedon a convenience sample of 127 surgical patients whowere admitted for elective orthopedic or neurologicalsurgery.Setting: 547 tertiary acute care setting.

Inclusion:Weigh more than 70 pounds but less than 500pounds;Remain confined to bed for a minimum of 3 daysExclusion:Received traction;Received mechanical ventilation;Diagnosis of spinal injuries;Stage IV PU;Deemed terminal or were receiving palliative care.

Patients (n = 90) were assigned to two groups: usual care(Group I, VC Air, surface bed) and the intervention(Group II, VCP 500) . Group I: Usual care: The usual care group will consist of30 patients who were placed on the VersaCare® A.I.R.mattress. These mattresses are currently used forroutine care in the hospital. Group II: Intervention: The intervention group consistedof 60 patients who were placed on the VersaCare®P500 mattress.

1 week pilot to determine feasibility for datacollection plan Participants were randomly assigned toGroups I or II All enrolled participants were tracked dailyfor the following: demographics, braden scalescores, co-morbidities, lab values (albumin,H&H)

Our findings suggest that the use of microclimate technology mattresseswere associated with high Braden Scores, which may indicate a lower riskfor skin breakdown among the users of such mattresses.Micro-climate enhanced mattresses play an important role in decreasingthe risk of skin breakdown among bed-confined patients.Blacks were more likely to have lower Braden scores than whiteCaucasians and Hispanics.“Days of bed confinement” were also independently associated with skinintegrity, such that bed days were negatively associated with the Bradenscore.

Replicate study to include a larger sample sizeSpecifically replicate study with populations of color