Efficacy of a motorized air support to prevent pressure ulcers in at-risk patients hospitalized in rehabilitation departments: incidence and prevalence studies.

BACKGROUND: The main objective was to assess the reduction of the pressure ulcers prevalence which could be obtained if Ascalis Optimo(R) mattresses were made available ad libitum in rehabilitation services (RS) by comparison to prevalence as observed in the national PERSE study (historical control) in similar departments using a variety of prevention aids. METHODS: This cross-sectional prevalence study was combined with a prospective study of the incidence of pressure ulcer occurrence in the high-risk target population whose beds were systematically equipped with the studied support. RESULTS: The prevalence study shows that 12 of the 369 patients presented pressure ulcers which occurred when Ascalis Optimo(R) was used. It corresponds to a prevalence of 3.3% [1.4, 5.1] which is significantly lower than those recorded in the PERSE Study: 11.8% [10.8; 12.8] P<0.0001. The ulcer incidence study was conducted on 71 patients hospitalized on a bed with an Ascalis Optimo(R) support because of their high risk of pressure ulcers. When taking into account all pressure ulcers' stages and locations, 6 patients had a pressure ulcer corresponding to an incidence of 8.5% [3.2; 17.5]. When taking into account, only stages 2 to 4 as generally done in literature, 2 patients had a pressure ulcer i.e. an incidence of 2.8% [0.0; 6.7]. CONCLUSIONS: The significant decrease of the prevalence of pressure ulcer in the rehabilitation departments where Ascalis Optimo(R) were available when compared to the current prevalence observed in rehabilitation services and moreover the results of the study of pressure ulcer incidence in patients bedridden on Ascalis Optimo(R), shows the benefit provided to patients in terms of pressure ulcers prevention.